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
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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
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
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
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The film’s non-linear narrative has drawn praise from critics in Spain and abroad.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
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Karla Sofía Gascón is singing Conan O'Brien's praises after his Oscars 2025 hosting gig.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Rivals have noticed that Focus is spending on linear for Last Breath, and commending that given its solid reviews at 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
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Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District Superintendent Liz Kirby commended the driver for evacuating the bus quickly.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Starmer brought flattery and a state visit invitation from King Charles III to soften the ask.—
Zeke Miller,
The Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2025
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Trump must be laughing about Newsom’s obviously insincere flattery and being able to make the governor jump through his hoops.—
Dan Walters,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This is the other cost-cutting tip – there were only two – that consumers applauded, on balance, in the Wells Fargo survey.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Pritzker applauded Illinois student test scores in reading and math.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Song’s Past Lives, also released by A24 and starring Greta Lee and Teo Yoo, debuted to critical acclaim in 2023, getting two Oscar nods including best picture.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Mar. 2025
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Since then, he’s only gone on to greater acclaim, even if his movies have grown far less interesting.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Stafford walked up to the podium, congratulated the team on its season and expressed his sympathy to those families in attendance who had been impacted by the Eaton fire that roared through Pasadena in January.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
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Knight’s sympathetic response is interrupted when Rhonda (Kathy Searle), Briarwood's exuberant security guard, rolls up in her golf cart to congratulate the pair on getting back together.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Key Ingredients for Sticky Buns Our recipe for sticky buns is made with an enriched dough, one that includes eggs, butter, sugar, and milk, along with the yeast and flour.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Remove seed oils and substitute for coconut oil, organic butter, or organic unscented tallow in 2026.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.—
Selene Yeager,
Health,
24 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Overpraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpraise. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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