OVERPRAISE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

overpraise 1 of 2

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌprāz

Definition of overpraise

as in praise

excessive praise the piano instructor believes in encouraging her students but avoids any overpraise that might make them complacent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overpraise

2 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈprāz

as in to praise

to praise too much proud parents are likely to overpraise their children for their earnest efforts at making handicrafts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overpraise

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement. — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial. — Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023 Our praise reflex leans toward the superlative in this dank information age, an era when the only artists who transcend the digital noise seem to be the ones whose music gets overpraised on social media for being the most this or the best that. — Chris Richards, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 Vincent Canby’s review in The New York Times seemed hesitant to overpraise the film, which was based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel of the same name. — New York Times, 2 June 2021

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpraise

Noun

The two governors, who mended fences after clashing over last year’s Proposition 50 redistricting campaign, lavished praise on each other for their climate bona fides.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Schwarzenegger and Newsom piled praise upon each other during the Wednesday afternoon discussion, hugging at the end.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

The Textile-to-Textile Ecosystem Award went to the Circulose Recycling Ecosystem, commending the brand commitments and fiber-producer partnerships supporting the Swedish company’s industrial restart.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
In a statement this week, the ACLU of Kansas commended Overland Park police for updating its policy, and for including community members in the process.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of commend

Noun

Manipulation, escalation, flattery and vindictiveness are not the unavoidable price of sounding natural.

— Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Tom Cruise's recent effusive praise for Kate Middleton was not just Hollywood flattery, according to royal experts.

— Ashley Hume , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Public perceptions of the police also change and are influenced by what people see on social media, said Hrar, who noted that officers were applauded for their bravery during terror attacks in 2015.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of applaud

Noun

In 2021, Leoni launched her own label, Quira, which quickly gained critical acclaim and became a 2023 LVMH Prize finalist.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Rather than accept his acclaim, a boozy Lee gets on stage and immediately tears into the crowd for being sellouts.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Noun

This adulation is all Fujino needs to take Kyomoto under her wing, and soon the two are inseparable, collaborating on strips where Fujino writes the stories and draws the figures while Kyomoto does the backgrounds.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Djokovic will have cheers about as loud as the ones that will be heard for the Americans Shelton and Fritz, the type of adulation that often fizzles before the ultimate prize.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of adulation

Browse Nearby Words

overpowers

overpraise

overpraised

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“Overpraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpraise. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of overpraise

noun

verb

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