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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of overpraise
Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Know-nothings pretend that Schrader’s Bressonian mannerisms reveal the spiritual depths of contemporary crisis, when, in fact, Master Gardener repeats the same social-collapse paranoia that made secular reviewers overpraise the religious, racial, suicide-bomber topics of First Reformed.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 May 2023
He’s overpraised of course.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 16 Mar. 2023
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
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
Know-nothings pretend that Schrader’s Bressonian mannerisms reveal the spiritual depths of contemporary crisis, when, in fact, Master Gardener repeats the same social-collapse paranoia that made secular reviewers overpraise the religious, racial, suicide-bomber topics of First Reformed.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 May 2023
He’s overpraised of course.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 16 Mar. 2023
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
-
Queta also has drawn praise for his improvement as a defender and screener.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Torii Hunter, a defensive whiz who now works as an Angels special assistant and who happened to be in the dugout, was succinct in his praise for the performance.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The town clerk was commended by the Broward state attorney for excellence for updating, electronically scanning and categorizing town files after much neglect.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jackson should be commended for taking a thoughtful step to strengthen consumer trust and the future of recycling innovation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Imitation, of course, is the sincerest form of flattery.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This tradition should be viewed as a form of flattery.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmen’s decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Riders cheered and applauded when the first train left the station.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Released more than a year before the war in Gaza became front page news, Mo received critical acclaim for its portrayal of Palestinian culture and the refugee experience.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
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Todd Helton is his favorite Rockies player, and whoever can step up this season to help fulfill Polis’ long-odds prediction of a wild card berth will also earn his acclaim.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement on Monday, Johnson congratulated King on landing the gig.—
Sabrina Franza,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Low isn’t the first to do a curry-chicken potpie, but his version is rich and warm, with airy, shattery pastry reminiscent of roti, flaky and slick with butter.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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Fish them all out and blend with parm, butter, and a splash of the boiling water.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
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Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Overpraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpraise. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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