adulation
ad-juh-LAY-shuhn
/ˌæd.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/
Excessive, servile, or uncritical admiration and praise.
Carries a distinctly negative connotation of blind, exaggerated, worship-like devotion.
The story behind the word. Latin 'adulari' originally pictured a dog wagging its tail, fawning, and groveling at its master's feet for food. Over time, Roman writers used it to mock politicians who servilely flattered emperors.
Word relationships
- flattery: 'Flattery' is insincere praise used to gain personal benefit, whereas 'adulation' is fanatical, worshipping praise.
- worship: 'Worship' can be religious or sincere, whereas 'adulation' implies excessive human fawniness.
- condemnation: 'Condemnation' is strong public criticism, opposite to excessive praise.
Commonly confused with
- admiration: 'Admiration' is healthy respect, whereas 'adulation' is extreme, servile, and uncritical worship.
Word family
- adulate (verb): To praise excessively.
- adulatory (adjective): Excessively praising.
Collocations
- lavish adulation
- public adulation
- unearned adulation
Example sentences
- "Adulation is the companion of success, but it is a treacherous friend." Literature citation
- "The young pop star found the constant public adulation overwhelming and retired from public life." Celebrity culture
Memory hook
ADULATION = ADORATION taken to an absurd, slave-like level. Adulation fawns like a tail-wagging pup.
When not to use
Do not use to describe earned, moderate, or well-reasoned praise.
Fun facts
- The Latin root 'adulari' is linked to tail-wagging, making adulation literally 'wagging one's tail at someone'.
Related words
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