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.

Noun

1. servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise