Definition

1. Verb:
   • To praise enthusiastically and highly; to laud or acclaim someone or something.
   • To express strong approval or admiration for the merits or virtues of a person, action, or quality.

Usage

The verb "extol" is used to describe the act of giving very high praise. It is a formal word often used in written English, speeches, or formal discussions. It is typically followed by the object being praised. - Common Structure: extol + [object] (e.g., extol the benefits, extol a person's character). - It is often used with abstract nouns like virtues, benefits, merits, or qualities.

Examples

• The coach will extol the importance of teamwork to the new players.
• In her speech, the mayor extolled the bravery of the firefighters.
• Many articles extol the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet.
• He is always quick to extol the virtues of classical music.

Advanced Usage

• "to extol someone/something to the skies": To praise someone or something in the most extravagant and enthusiastic terms possible.
  • The critic extolled the young artist's work to the skies.
• "to extol the praises of": A slightly more formal variant emphasizing the act of praising.
  • The professor never tired of extolling the praises of diligent research.

Variants and Related Words

• Extolled (v): Past tense and past participle form.
  • The invention was widely extolled by experts.
• Extolling (v): Present participle/gerund form.
  • She wrote an essay extolling the city's cultural diversity.
• Extolment (n): (Rare) The act of extolling; high praise.
  • The biography is a long extolment of the leader's achievements.

Synonyms

• Praise: To express warm approval or admiration.
• Laud: To praise highly, especially in a public context.
• Acclaim: To praise enthusiastically and publicly.
• Commend: To praise formally or officially.
• Glorify: To describe or represent as admirable, especially unjustifiably.

Antonyms

• Criticize: To indicate the faults of someone or something.
• Censure: To express severe disapproval.
• Denounce: To publicly declare to be wrong or evil.
• Disparage: To regard or represent as being of little worth.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Sing the praises of": To praise someone or something enthusiastically and repeatedly. (This is a common idiom with a very similar meaning to "extol").
  • He is always singing the praises of his new computer.

Verb

1. praise, glorify, or honor
   • extol the virtues of one's children
   • glorify one's spouse's cooking