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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pivot generated brilliant press, local political praise, and high trustee engagement.

— Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Your album has been receiving a lot of praise from fans and critics.

— Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

While the filmmakers should be commended for keeping the focus on Brockington and Prescott for most of the running time, the doc also feels somewhat unbalanced.

— Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
The report commends changes including protecting wetlands, improving stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, and expanding water quality monitoring, including notification programs that warn people about unsafe conditions in rivers and streams.

— Joe Brandt, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of commend

Noun

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
Here is a man who believes fervently in his own flattery but also wields it like a weapon.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Republican Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland applauded Commissioner Scott’s decision to halt construction.

— Laura Romero, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of applaud

Noun

Pfeiffer received critical acclaim for her TV performances this year in Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles and Paramount+’s The Madison.

— Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Anderson has garnered critical and mainstream acclaim in recent years thanks to dramatic and comedic turns including The Last Showgirl — which got her a Golden Globe nomination — and the Naked Gun reboot from Paramount.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Verb

An emotional moment was then shown between the three of them, as well as players coming up to congratulate him afterwards.

— Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
But instead of congratulating their long-time colleague, her co-workers, under the orders of their department head, urged her to think again.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Noun

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
The adulation was directed at Harvey Levin, the co-creator and editor of the tabloid news organization.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

Definition of adulation

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overpowers

overpraise

overpraised

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Style

“Overpraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpraise. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overpraise

noun

verb

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