adulate

IPA/ˈædʒ.ə.leɪt/
KK[ˈædʒəlˌet]IPA/ˈædʒ.ə.leɪt/

adulate — verb

  • adulatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • adulates3rd person singular
  • adulating-ing form
  • adulatedpast simple

1. to give someone far more praise or admiration than their actions or abilities re

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to give someone far more praise or admiration than their actions or abilities really deserve, often in a way that seems too strong or dishonest

例句

The director's speech adulated the retiring teacher until some guests felt embarrassed.

adulate + direct object (person)

Political reporters accused the newspaper of adulating the mayor instead of reporting the facts.

accused of + adulating + [person]

同義詞
  • flatter

    softer than adulate; can be sincere or insincere

  • fawn over

    more informal; suggests physical eagerness like a dog

  • worship

    stronger; implies total devotion rather than just praise

反義詞
  • criticize

    to point out faults rather than exaggerate virtues

  • disparage

    to speak of as having little worth

文法句型

adulate + [someone]

用法筆記

Unlike praise, adulate carries a strongly negative tone — it implies the admiration is either dishonest or embarrassingly overdone.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher adulated the student for getting the right answer.
✅The teacher praised the student for getting the right answer.
💡adulate is for excessive or insincere praise, not ordinary recognition.
❌She adulated his new haircut.
✅She complimented his new haircut.
💡adulate is too strong for everyday compliments.

2. to flatter someone in an overly eager way, usually because you want to gain some

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to flatter someone in an overly eager way, usually because you want to gain something from them, in a manner that can embarrass other people who witness it

例句

The junior staff member adulated every manager in the hope of getting promoted.

adulate + [person] + in the hope of + [goal]

Charlotte disliked how certain guests adulated the wealthy host at every dinner party.

同義詞
  • toady to

    more informal; suggests someone who acts like a servant for favor

  • suck up to

    informal; implies obvious, clumsy flattery

  • butter up

    informal; preparing someone to receive a request

反義詞

文法句型

adulate + [someone]

adulate + [someone] + in the hope of + [goal]

用法筆記

This sense emphasizes the self-serving motive behind the flattery — the person adulating hopes to receive a reward or favor.

常見錯誤

❌He adulated the chef by saying the soup was tasty.
✅He adulated the chef by claiming it was the finest soup he had ever tasted.
💡adulate requires exaggerated, over-the-top praise, not a simple compliment.

3. to show great respect or devotion to a person, idea, or institution while never

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to show great respect or devotion to a person, idea, or institution while never questioning whether they are right or deserve such loyalty

例句

Fans of the politician adulated him so blindly that they refused any criticism.

adulate + [person] + blindly + refuse criticism

Wei believed a healthy democracy needs citizens who question leaders rather than adulating them.

rather than adulating + [person] (contrast structure)

同義詞
  • idolize

    less formal; implies treating someone as an idol

  • deify

    stronger; suggests treating a person like a god

  • venerate

    more respectful and less negative; implies genuine reverence

反義詞
  • question

    to examine critically instead of accepting uncritically

  • challenge

    to dispute or test someone's ideas

文法句型

adulate + [someone/something]

adulate + [someone] + without + [gerund]

用法筆記

Distinguish from Sense 1: Sense 1 is about dishonest or exaggerated praise, while Sense 3 is about uncritical devotion — the person may genuinely believe the object of adulation is perfect.

常見錯誤

❌The fans adulated the singer by buying her album.
✅The fans adulated the singer by defending her against every criticism, no matter how fair.
💡adulation for this sense means defending or revering without critical thought, not simply supporting.