adulation
noun
ad·u·la·tion
ˌa-jə-ˈlā-shən 
-dyə,
-də-
: extreme or excessive admiration or flattery
Celebrities often feed off the adulation of fans, but that acclaim can be fleeting and illusory.—
Ruben Castenada
Ruben CastenadaDuring the campaign, he basked in the adulation of his fans and emphasized the promises that drew the biggest applause and the most retweets …—Peter Coy
Peter Coy… she thought he'd be an egomaniac, spoiled by fame and public adulation.—Maureen Callahan
Maureen Callahan… is only starting to reach the level of popular and critical adulation that bands work their entire lives to achieve …—Steve Kandell
Steve KandellHe had not fully understood his achievement until he returned home to an outpouring of adulation from local media.—David Müller
David Müller
Did you know?
If adulation makes you think of a dog panting after its beloved person, you're on the right etymological track; the word ultimately comes from the Latin verb adūlārī, meaning "to fawn on" (a sense used specifically of the affectionate behavior of dogs) or "to praise insincerely." Adulation has been in use in English since the 15th century. The verb adulate, noun adulator, and adjective adulatory later followed dutifully behind.
Examples of adulation in a Sentence
The rugby player enjoyed the adulation of his fans.
a writer who inspires adulation in her readers
Recent Examples on the Web
The novel is a cautionary tale about populist leaders who are incapable of separating their need for adulation from the needs of their constituents.
—Ilan Stavans, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
There is even more adulation from Twiggy’s peers, friends and admirers from across the generations, ranging from Joanna Lumley and Zandra Rhodes to Brooke Shields, Sienna Miller, Stella McCartney, Erin O’Connor and Poppy Delevingne.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
Warner Bros, which will likely allocate $80 million to promote Mickey 17, will pray for quicker adulation.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
But in the midst of all the cheers, tears, adulation, handshakes and high fives from the patrons, fellow competitors, caddies, employees, suits, family and friends, there was only one thing on McIlroy's mind.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adulation
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Ilan Stavans, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
There is even more adulation from Twiggy’s peers, friends and admirers from across the generations, ranging from Joanna Lumley and Zandra Rhodes to Brooke Shields, Sienna Miller, Stella McCartney, Erin O’Connor and Poppy Delevingne.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
Warner Bros, which will likely allocate $80 million to promote Mickey 17, will pray for quicker adulation.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
But in the midst of all the cheers, tears, adulation, handshakes and high fives from the patrons, fellow competitors, caddies, employees, suits, family and friends, there was only one thing on McIlroy's mind.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adulation
Cite this Entry
“Adulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adulation. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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