tout
v.to praise something or someone a lot to make people want them. You often see this when people are trying to sell a product or an idea.
v.to promote or praise energetically, often with the intent of persuading others of a person's or thing's value. Frequently used in journalistic contexts regarding political or commercial prospects.
“The company is touting its new phone as the best on the market.”
“Local officials continue to tout the new stadium as a major boost for the city's economy.”
“While critics remained skeptical of the startup's long-term viability, venture capitalists continued to tout the platform as a revolutionary shift in digital infrastructure.”
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; often used in the progressive 'touting'.
Tout is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'about' when describing the thing being praised.
“A search for "healthier" alternatives to drinking has helped create a new market for substances touted on social media as social drugs without the hangover.”
“His performance at high-profile academic events did not match the credentials that were being touted.”
From Middle English touten (“to jut out, protrude, gaze upon, observe, peer”), from Old English tūtian (“to be sticking out, protrude”), related to Old English tȳtan (“to stand out, be conspicuous, shine”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic tut(t)- (“to stick out, project”). Compare Icelandic túta (“a teat-like prominence”), tútna (“to be blown up”). Possibly influenced by dialectal toot (“to stick out; project; peer out; peep”), from Middle English toten, totien, from Old English tōtian (“to peep out; look; pry; spectate”). Compare also Old English tot, ġetot (“pomp, splendour, vainglory”).
Probably from French tout (“all”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.