adulation

/,ædju'leiʃn/
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adulation

The celebrity received adulation from the crowd as she waved.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise: Adulation refers to excessive admiration or praise that is not sincere, often given in a way that is overly fawning or subservient.
Usage
  • Adulation is typically used to describe praise that is extreme, insincere, and given to gain favor or advantage.
  • It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the praise is unwarranted or that the person giving it is being obsequious.
  • It is commonly used in contexts discussing fame, politics, or power, where people might seek favor through flattery.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • The celebrity grew tired of the constant adulation from the press and fans.
    • He received adulation from his subordinates, but he knew it was motivated by fear rather than genuine respect.
    • The dictator demanded adulation from the state-controlled media.
Advanced Usage
  • "To be the object of adulation": to be the person who receives excessive, often insincere, praise.
    • After winning the championship, the young athlete became the object of national adulation.
  • "A culture of adulation": an environment where excessive, uncritical praise is the norm.
    • The leader's inner circle fostered a culture of adulation, where any criticism was forbidden.
Variants and Related Words
  • Adulate (verb): To praise (someone) excessively or obsequiously.
    • The crowd seemed to adulate the speaker, hanging on his every word.
  • Adulatory (adjective): Expressing excessive praise or admiration.
    • The biography was criticized for its adulatory tone, lacking any critical analysis.
Synonyms
  • Flattery: Excessive and insincere praise, especially given to further one's own interests.
  • Fawning: Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection; obsequious.
  • Sycophancy: Obsequious behavior aimed at gaining advantage from someone powerful.
Antonyms
  • Criticism: The expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.
  • Disparagement: The act of speaking about someone or something in a way that shows strong disapproval or lack of respect.
  • Condemnation: The expression of very strong disapproval; censure.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • "Lavish adulation upon": To give someone an excessive amount of praise.
    • The courtiers lavished adulation upon the new king.
  • "Blind adulation": Unquestioning and uncritical admiration.
    • The politician was wary of blind adulation, knowing it could lead to poor decisions.
adulation

The celebrity received adulation from the crowd as she waved.

Noun
  1. servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise