adulate

[ aj-uh-leyt ]

See synonyms for: adulate adulation adulator on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ad·u·lat·ed, ad·u·lat·ing.

to show excessive admiration or devotion to; flatter or admire servilely.

Origin of adulate

First recorded in 1770–80; back formation from adulation

Other words from adulate

ad·u·la·tion, noun
ad·u·la·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use adulate in a sentence

He lied, like the brazen, self-seeking adulator that he was, and for which he should have been soundly whipped.
The Shame of Motley | Raphael Sabatini
The duke was his generous patron, and Dr. Preston his most servile adulator.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3) | Isaac Disraeli
But their good sense would despise the adulator who should pretend that they always reason right about the means of promoting it.
Democracy In America, Volume 1 (of 2) | Alexis de Toqueville
I fear that Virgil was harmed by the Georgican success, and became more than ever an adulator of the ruling powers.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 68, June, 1863 | Various
Meade, I love you, he is represented as saying to his fascinating adulator, and I will tell you a secret to make your fortune.
The Funny Side of Physic | A. D. Crabtre

British Dictionary definitions for adulate

adulate

/ (ˈædjʊˌleɪt) /

verb

(tr) to flatter or praise obsequiously

Origin of adulate

C17: back formation from C15 adulation, from Latin adūlāri to flatter

Derived forms of adulate

adulator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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