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

There has been widespread praise about the upward arc of Thieneman’s growth.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit says the decision was unlawful, unsupported by facts and inconsistent with the military’s past praise of Claude.

— Reuters, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue posted on Facebook commending the work of volunteers who banded together to care for the dogs.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of commend

Noun

Told that imitation is the highest form of flattery, Steele guffaws.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Scam Buster is a bot that will reply to scammers in your inbox, placating them with the same social engineering tactics that scammers use, such as impersonation, flattery, and urgent messaging.

— Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Whatever our party affiliation or political views, Americans should appreciate Roosevelt’s ingenuity, determination and confidence and applaud Eisenhower’s competence, planning and stewardship.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of applaud

Noun

For modern audiences, this scene likely evokes the imaginative world of Toy Story, the long-running film franchise about the secret lives of children’s toys, which launched to great acclaim in 1995 and recently released its fifth installment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Kusama represented Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale, becoming the first female artist to solely represent Japan at the event, and the accumulation of her work was met with acclaim.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Verb

Jolly, who’s been campaigning against divisiveness in politics, issued a statement congratulating Avila shortly after Tuesday’s announcement.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
In the letter, written after Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Parton congratulated the artist on the honor and praised his performance that night.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Noun

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
What might her bandmate Daniela Avanzini have to say in a song about their past year of adulation and never-ending scrutiny?

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overpraise

noun

verb

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