praise

[ preyz ]

noun

1. the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

   Synonyms: compliment, approbation, applause, plaudit, acclamation

   Antonyms: condemnation

2. the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship:

   a hymn of praise to God.

   Synonyms: panegyric, eulogy, encomium

3. the state of being approved or admired:

   The king lived in praise for many years.

4. Archaic. a ground for praise, or a merit.

verb (used with object)

, praised, prais·ing.

1. to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.

   Synonyms: eulogize, applaud, laud

   Antonyms: depreciate

2. to offer grateful homage to (God or a deity), as in words or song.

   Synonyms: honor, exalt, glorify

praise

/ preɪz /

noun

1. the act of expressing commendation, admiration, etc
2. the extolling of a deity or the rendering of homage and gratitude to a deity
3. the condition of being commended, admired, etc
4. archaic.
   the reason for praise
5. sing someone's praises
   to commend someone highly

verb

1. to express commendation, admiration, etc, for
2. to proclaim or describe the glorious attributes of (a deity) with homage and thanksgiving

Derived Forms

• ˈpraiser, noun

Other Words From

• praiseful adjective
• praiseful·ly adverb
• praiseless adjective
• praiser noun
• half-praised adjective
• half-praising adjective
• outpraise verb (used with object) outpraised outpraising
• re·praise verb (used with object) repraised repraising
• self-praise noun
• self-praising adjective
• super·praise noun verb (used with object) superpraised superpraising
• un·praised adjective
• un·praiseful adjective
• un·praising adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of praise¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb preisen, from Old French preisier “to value, prize,” from Late Latin pretiāre, derivative of Latin pretium “worth, reward” ( price ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of praise¹

C13: from Old French preisier, from Late Latin pretiāre to esteem highly, from Latin pretium prize; compare prize ², precious

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sing someone's praises, to praise someone publicly and enthusiastically:

   He is always singing his wife's praises.

More idioms and phrases containing praise

In addition to the idiom beginning with praise , also see damn with faint praise ; sing someone's praises .

Synonym Study

See approve.

Example Sentences

It’s a display of raw power and unchecked impulses, forcing senators in his own party to either praise their leader’s genius or risk his wrath on social media.

From Salon

Moore earned enthusiastic praise for her turn as Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded star who submits to a back-alley rejuvenation regime to reset her career.

From Los Angeles Times

His free lunches for every primary school child scheme was praised by a new independent report that found it had brought “significant benefits” for the capital’s children, parents and schools.

From BBC

Specific praise, such as "that's great that you took deep breaths instead of yelling," reinforces use of coping tools.

From Science Daily

Albin’s epiphany in “I Am What I Am” is simple yet profound: He wants neither praise nor pity, but only to be seen as his “own special creation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acclaim
• accolade
• applause
• appreciation
• approval
• cheer
• commendation
• compliment
• cry
• devotion
• esteem
• glory
• kudos
• ovation
• plaudit
• rave
• recognition
• recommendation
• thanks
• tribute