# adulation

/ˌædʒəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌædjʊlˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adulation
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

very strong love and praise for someone, often more than they really deserve. You use it when fans or crowds admire a famous person too much.

For teachers: excessive admiration or praise, especially for a public figure. Implies uncritical devotion rather than balanced respect.

## Examples

- Fans show great adulation for the young singer.
- The new manager receives constant adulation from staff, but senior leaders question whether the praise is deserved.
- Despite years of public adulation, the novelist remained uneasy with fame, suspecting that uncritical worship obscured honest judgment of her work.

## Synonyms

adoration, Worship

## Antonyms

criticism, contempt, hatred

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by 'of' or 'for' to name the person admired.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.