Laud
v.joyful, thoughtfulformal
What it means
To express formal or public praise for genuine merit.
Reach for it when commending an action, person, or result in elevated prose
Reviewers laud the translation for preserving both clarity and rhythm.
Choose between these
6- playful
approval of a choice or effort is lively but not necessarily literal clapping
not when Applaud may be informal and does not carry laud's ceremonial tone.
- everyday
the broad natural verb for expressing approval fits
not when Praise can be private and casual, while laud often sounds public or formal.
- warm
recognition is joyful and shared
not when Celebrate can honor an occasion without evaluating merit.
- professional
official approval of a specific action is intended
not when Commend is more restrained and procedural than laud.
- formal
wide enthusiastic public praise is established
not when Acclaim requires a broader response than one person lauding another.
- literary
very strong, elevated praise is consciously wanted
not when Extol can sound excessive when the achievement is modest.
Said against
3- criticize
- condemn
- disparage
It naturally appears in
3- laud an achievement
The citation will laud an achievement in community medicine.
- widely laud
Teachers widely laud the program's practical reading materials.
- laud the effort
Residents laud the effort while asking how results will be measured.
Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, verb, single sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.