Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Excessively praising or complimentary: Describes speech, writing, or behavior that shows excessive admiration or flattery, often in a way that is insincere or intended to gain favor.
   • Obsequiously flattering: Characterized by servile or fawning praise.

Usage

• The word "adulatory" is used to describe language, tone, reviews, or behavior that is overly and often embarrassingly complimentary. It typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting the praise is not genuine but rather exaggerated and self-serving.
• It is a formal adjective, commonly found in literary, journalistic, or critical contexts (e.g., book reviews, political commentary, descriptions of social interactions).

Examples

• The biography was criticized for its adulatory tone, failing to present a balanced view of the subject's life.
• He was uncomfortable with the adulatory introduction, feeling it exaggerated his modest achievements.
• The press conference was filled with adulatory questions from reporters seeking the mayor's favor.

Advanced Usage

• Adulatory language: Refers specifically to the use of excessively flattering words.
  • The CEO's speech was full of adulatory language directed at the board members.
• Adulatory biography: A biography that praises its subject uncritically.
  • The film star authorized an adulatory biography that omitted all mention of her early struggles.

Variants and Related Words

• Adulate (verb): To praise or admire excessively or slavishly.
  • Fans often adulate celebrities without knowing them personally.
• Adulation (noun): Excessive admiration or praise.
  • The retiring professor was embarrassed by the public adulation.
• Adulator (noun): A person who adulates; a flatterer.

Synonyms

• Fawning: Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection.
• Sycophantic: Behaving or done in an obsequious way to gain advantage.
• Flattering: Complimentary, but "adulatory" implies a more excessive and servile degree.
• Obsequious: Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.

Antonyms

• Critical: Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.
• Disparaging: Expressing the opinion that something is of little worth; derogatory.
• Contemptuous: Showing contempt; scornful.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• While there is no specific idiom using "adulatory," the concept is related to:
  • To butter someone up: To flatter someone, especially to gain a favor.

    • He's just buttering up the boss with adulatory comments about her leadership.

Adjective

1. obsequiously complimentary
   • they listened with flattering interest