adulate

[ aj-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ad·u·lat·ed, ad·u·lat·ing.

1. to show excessive admiration or devotion to; flatter or admire servilely.

adulate

/ ˈædjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. tr to flatter or praise obsequiously

Derived Forms

• ˈaduˌlator, noun

Other Words From

• adu·lation noun
• adu·lator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adulate¹

First recorded in 1770–80; back formation from adulation

Word History and Origins

Origin of adulate¹

C17: back formation from C15 adulation, from Latin adūlāri to flatter

Example Sentences

Given the ease with which people can find misinformation and faulty pseudoscientific "evidence" that supports their initial bias against the COVID-19 vaccine, it's not surprising that a burgeoning community exists to elevate and adulate those who have championed not getting vaccinated as an expression of their "protected freedom."

From Salon

Burstein is not here simply to commiserate or adulate, though the film necessarily serves measures of both.

From Washington Post

Trump hates The Post, which he sees as reflecting too much criticism of his presidency — you know, “fake news” that does not adulate him.

From Salon

There are many who adulate Musk and Bezos, and view them as our generation's heroes.

From Salon

“I’m not that mad person who will eternally adulate him if he screws up or if it all goes wrong with his sons and they really are corrupt,” Cláudia said, in reference to suspicions of corruption swirling around Bolsonaro’s eldest son, the senator Flávio Bolsonaro.

From The Guardian