Extol
What it means
To praise someone or something with strong and explicit admiration.
Reach for it when giving elevated, wholehearted praise to a quality or achievement
The review chose to extol the cast's warmth as well as its precision.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
sing the praises of
Fits when enthusiastic approval can use a familiar image
Careful The idiom is chatty and may sound excessive in a balanced assessment.
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everyday
Fits when any clear expression of approval is intended
Careful Praise ranges from mild to strong and lacks extol's elevated enthusiasm.
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warm
Fits when praise includes shared joy or recognition
Careful Celebration can honor an occasion without evaluating particular merit.
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professional
Fits when a specific action deserves measured official approval
Careful Commendation is restrained and narrower than wholehearted extolling.
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formal
Fits when public and widespread approval is being voiced
Careful Acclaim often comes from a crowd or critics, not one considered tribute.
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formal
eulogize
Fits when formal praise commemorates a life or legacy
Careful Eulogize strongly suggests death and is wrong for routine living achievement.
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literary
Fits when concise elevated praise fits the register
Careful Laud is as formal and uncommon as extol, so it does not improve accessibility.
Opposites 4
- condemn
- criticize
- denounce
- disparage
Common phrases 3
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extol the virtues
Supporters extol the virtues of the plan without hiding its cost.
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extol someone's work
The curator chose to extol someone's work by naming its influence precisely.
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publicly extol
The mayor will publicly extol the rescuers at the council meeting.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated