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• laud
  laud

  verb (used with object)

  to praise; extol.
• Laud
  Laud

  noun

  William, 1573–1645, archbishop of Canterbury and opponent of Puritanism: executed for treason.

laud

¹ American  

[lawd] / lɔd /

verb (used with object)

1. to praise; extol.

   Synonyms:

   honor, applaud

   Antonyms:

   censure

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noun

1. a song or hymn of praise.

2. (used with a singular or plural verb) lauds, a canonical hour, marked especially by psalms of praise, usually recited with matins.

Laud ² American  

[lawd] / lɔd /

noun

1. William, 1573–1645, archbishop of Canterbury and opponent of Puritanism: executed for treason.

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laud ¹ British  

/ lɔːd /

verb

1. (tr) to praise or glorify

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noun

1. praise or glorification

Laud ² British  

/ lɔːd /

noun

1. William. 1573–1645, English prelate; archbishop of Canterbury (1633–45). His persecution of Puritans and his High Church policies in England and Scotland were a cause of the Civil War; he was impeached by the Long Parliament (1640) and executed

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Other Word Forms

• laudator noun
• lauder noun
• overlaud verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of laud

First recorded in 1300–50; (verb) Middle English lauden, from Latin laudāre “to praise,” derivative of laus (stem laud- ) “praise”; (noun) Middle English laude, back formation from laudes (plural), from Late Latin, special use of plural of Latin laus “praise”

Explanation

To laud someone means to praise them extravagantly — usually in a very public manner. A music critic might laud a new song by calling it the best summer anthem ever created. The word laud is from the Latin word laudere, meaning "to praise.” To laud someone is to glorify them, or to sing their praises, even if you’re not actually singing. Movie reviewers might laud Oscar-nominated films, and your high school principal might laud the class valedictorian at graduation.

Example Sentences

Even those who agree that its administrative burden and costs may have contributed to the demise of defined-benefit plans still laud its protections.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

While it’s all well and good to laud Mamdani’s extraordinary political talents and inspiring leadership for social justice, at the same time we should recognize that he has entered into an embrace with a rattlesnake.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

To laud Charles, JPMorgan lit up the top of its new $3 billion Manhattan skyscraper with the insignia of the kingdom, an unusual event in a city that chased out the British in 1783.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Their promotional video shows Māori performing a traditional poi dance and the haka, a ceremonial war dance, as project leaders laud the “complete partnership” between Māori and Colossal Biosciences.

From Slate • Aug. 8, 2025

Polybius, interestingly, can’t bring himself to laud the monarch’s generosity as much as to credit the Rhodians for publicizing their plight so effectively!

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

Related Words

• admire
• adore
• celebrate
• commend
• compliment
• eulogize
• extol
• honor
• revere