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n. 1. Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration. 2. The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero. 3. Archaic A reason for praise; merit. tr.v. praised, prais·ing, prais·es 1. To express warm approval of, commendation for, or admiration for. 2. To express a feeling of veneration or gratitude to (a deity); worship or glorify. [Middle English preise, from preisen, to praise, from Old French preisier, from Late Latin pretiāre, to prize, from Latin pretium, price; see per-5 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] praiser n. Synonyms: praise, acclaim, commend, extol, laud These verbs mean to express approval or admiration. To praise is to voice approbation, commendation, or esteem: "She was enthusiastically praising the beauties of Gothic architecture" (Francis Marion Crawford). Acclaim usually implies hearty approbation warmly and publicly expressed: The film was highly acclaimed by many critics. Commend suggests moderate or restrained approval, as that accorded by a superior: The judge commended the jury for their hard work. Extol suggests exaltation or glorification: "that sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present" (Sydney Smith). Laud connotes respectful or lofty praise: "Comtosook was lauded as the most picture-perfect hamlet in the state" (Jodi Picoult). |
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