encomiast

An encomiast writes a glowing tribute to a public figure.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who delivers or writes an encomium: an "encomiast" is an individual who composes or speaks a formal expression of high praise, often in a public or ceremonial context.
   • A flatterer: in a derogatory sense, an "encomiast" may refer to someone who engages in excessive or insincere praise, typically to gain favor.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The poet served as the encomiast for the king's coronation, composing a lengthy ode to his virtues. (A person who writes a formal praise poem.)
  • Critics dismissed the biography as the work of an encomiast, full of flattery but lacking honest assessment. (A person who praises excessively and insincerely.)

Advanced Usage

• "to act as encomiast": to take on the role of delivering formal praise.

  • At the award ceremony, the professor acted as encomiast for her former student, highlighting decades of achievement. (She gave a formal, laudatory speech.)

• "encomiast of the regime": a person who habitually praises a government or authority figure.

  • The journalist was labeled an encomiast of the regime for his uncritical coverage. (He was seen as a flatterer of the political system.)

Variants and Related Words

• Encomium (n): a formal expression of high praise; a eulogy or panegyric.

  • The retiring CEO received an encomium from the board for his leadership. (A speech or piece of writing praising him.)

• Encomiastic (adj): relating to or resembling an encomium; praising.

  • Her encomiastic remarks at the funeral moved the audience to tears. (Her words were full of praise.)

Synonyms

• Panegyrist: one who delivers a panegyric (a public speech of praise).
• Eulogist: one who praises someone, especially at a funeral.
• Flatterer: one who offers excessive or insincere praise.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

• Sing someone's praises: to praise someone highly and repeatedly.

  • The encomiast sang the general's praises at every opportunity. (He constantly and formally praised the general.)

• A puff piece: an article or speech that praises someone or something excessively, often uncritically.

  • The newspaper's profile of the politician was a puff piece, written by a known encomiast. (A flattering, shallow article.)