OVERPRAISE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

overpraise 1 of 2

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌprāz

Definition of overpraise

as in praise

excessive praise the piano instructor believes in encouraging her students but avoids any overpraise that might make them complacent

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overpraise

2 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈprāz

as in to praise

to praise too much proud parents are likely to overpraise their children for their earnest efforts at making handicrafts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overpraise

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement. — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial. — Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023 Our praise reflex leans toward the superlative in this dank information age, an era when the only artists who transcend the digital noise seem to be the ones whose music gets overpraised on social media for being the most this or the best that. — Chris Richards, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 Vincent Canby’s review in The New York Times seemed hesitant to overpraise the film, which was based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel of the same name. — New York Times, 2 June 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpraise

Noun

Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town).

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 July 2026
Amassing 2 million views and widespread praise, these videos feature photorealistic AI versions of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, with stories set between *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Clients as well as opposing counsel routinely commend her ability to quickly identify risk, to build strategies that align with client goals and objectives, and to efficiently seek resolution or streamline to trial, as needed.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Leeper says the authors should be commended for those precautions, but the possibility of contamination can’t be ruled out completely.

— Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of commend

Noun

Sanghee, who has a day job importing snacks and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with the family as old secrets, unsolicited advice and hollow flattery come to the surface.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026
Rutte’s approach of using flattery to win over the president prompted some to question whether this had delivered any tangible benefits for the alliance.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

Jasmin Camacho, an evolutionary biologist at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, applauds the python work as another way of looking in unexpected places for potential drugs and cures.

— Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 July 2026
Children and parents applauded the performances by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater and opera singer San Cha at Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park in what’s otherwise known as Frogtown.

— Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of applaud

Verb

Postmatch, the king of Spain, King Felipe VI, was one of the first to congratulate La Roja on snapping the 16-year drought.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC for Senate Republicans, released a statement congratulating Nordone’s nomination.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026

Definition of congratulate

Noun

Fans showered Ovechkin with cheers and adulation, despite his refusal to acknowledge the surrounding uncertainty.

— Sean Gentille, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Each member derives her own realizations from this experience, with its dual crucibles of grindingly hard work and pop adulation.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 25 June 2026

Definition of adulation

Verb

Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.

— Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024

Definition of honey

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overpraise

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“Overpraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpraise. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of overpraise

noun

verb

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