adulation

[ aj-uh-ley-shuh n ]

/ ˌædʒ əˈleɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR adulation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

excessive devotion to someone; servile flattery.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

adts, aduki, adularescent, adularia, adulate, adulation, adulatory, adullamite, adult, adult education, adult fanconi's syndrome

Origin of adulation

Middle English < Middle French < Latin adūlātiōn- (stem of adūlātiō) servile flattery, fawning, equivalent to adūlāt(us), past participle of adūlārī, -āre to fawn upon (of dogs), apparently a nominal derivative, with ad- ad-, of an otherwise unattested base + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

ad·u·la·to·ry

[aj-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈædʒ ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveself-ad·u·la·tion, nounself-ad·u·la·to·ry, adjectiveun·ad·u·lat·ing, adjective

un·ad·u·la·to·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for adulatory

It's true that Berman's view of her subject is adulatory, even gushy.
Hugh Hefner's Legacy|Richard Porton|July 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
McChrystal has lately been the subject of numerous media profiles, most of them adulatory.
Gen. McChrystal's Credibility Problem|Jon Krakauer|October 14, 2009|DAILY BEAST
When printed, the comedy was dedicated in adulatory terms to Nell Gwynne.
The Works of Aphra Behn, Vol. I (of 6)|Aphra Behn
A murmur of adulatory incredulity arose from the group of courtiers.
The Vicomte de Bragelonne|Alexandre Dumas

Unused to the adulatory language of dedications, I am well aware that any such mode of address would offend your delicacy.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. I|Robert Kerr
These verses have been disparaged as too adulatory in their tone.
The Oxford Reformers|Frederic Seebohm
Although not handsome, his face called for an adulatory responsiveness on the part of those who came in contact with him.
Edith and John|Franklin S. Farquhar

British Dictionary definitions for adulatory (1 of 2)

adulatory

/ (ˌædjʊˈleɪtərɪ, ˈædjʊˌleɪtərɪ) /

adjective

expressing praise, esp obsequiously; flattering

British Dictionary definitions for adulatory (2 of 2)

adulation

/ (ˌædjʊˈleɪʃən) /

noun

obsequious flattery or praise; extreme admiration

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