Library / English Dictionary

PRAISE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An expression of approval and commendation

Example:

he always appreciated praise for his work

Synonyms:

congratulations; extolment; kudos; praise

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("praise" is a kind of...):

approval; commendation (a message expressing a favorable opinion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "praise"):

superlative (an exaggerated expression (usually of praise))

encomium; eulogy; paean; panegyric; pean (a formal expression of praise)

eulogium; eulogy (a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently)

good word; recommendation; testimonial (something that recommends (or expresses commendation of) a person or thing as worthy or desirable)

compliment (a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration)

Derivation:

praise (express approval of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Offering words of homage as an act of worship

Example:

they sang a hymn of praise to God

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("praise" is a kind of...):

worship (the activity of worshipping)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "praise"):

hallelujah (a shout or song of praise to God)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Express approval of

Example:

The parents praised their children for their academic performance

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "praise" is one way to...):

appraise; assess; evaluate; measure; valuate; value (evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "praise"):

sonnet (praise in a sonnet)

puff; puff up (praise extravagantly)

advertise; advertize; promote; push (make publicity for; try to sell (a product))

commend; recommend (express a good opinion of)

commend (express approval of)

gush; rave (praise enthusiastically)

compliment; congratulate (say something to someone that expresses praise)

eulogise; eulogize (praise formally and eloquently)

blandish; flatter (praise somewhat dishonestly)

exalt; extol; glorify; laud; proclaim (praise, glorify, or honor)

applaud (express approval of)

salute (express commendation of)

troll (praise or celebrate in song)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue praise the movie

Antonym:

criticize (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

Derivation:

praise (an expression of approval and commendation)

Credits

 Context examples: 

After one of the many praises of the day, which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added:—What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister!

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

He said something in praise of your eyes, did he? Blind puppy!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

That your praise can make a man and your blame can break him?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I write without any view to profit or praise.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant?

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

And his father said, “Heaven be praised! we have found our dear child again”; and he told his wife not to use the scythe for fear she should hurt him.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

“Ah, well, my son, you praise your stars he's dead,” said Silver.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Oh, praise the eternal justice of man!

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Chance travellers might praise or pet him; but he was cold under it all, and from a too demonstrative man he would get up and walk away.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Catherine had seen nothing to compare with it; and her feelings of delight were so strong, that without waiting for any better authority, she boldly burst forth in wonder and praise.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)