Adulator: meaning, definitions and examples

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adulator

[ˈædʒʊˌleɪtər ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

A person who excessively praises or flatters someone, often for their own benefit.

Word	Description / Examples
adulator	This word is often used in formal settings to describe someone who excessively praises or admires someone else. It is usually neutral but can have a slightly negative connotation if the praise seems insincere. The CEO appreciated the adulator who spoke highly of the company at the annual meeting. An adulator in the court could often secure favors from the king.
sycophant	This word is often used in formal contexts to describe someone who flatters influential people for personal gain. It carries a strong negative connotation. The politician's team was full of sycophants eager to gain favor. He was wary of sycophants who tried to use flattery to get special treatment.
flatterer	This term is generally used to describe someone who gives excessive, insincere praise. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, and often has a negative connotation. Beware of the flatterer who tells you only what you want to hear. As a known flatterer, he was not trusted by his colleagues.
brownnoser	This is an informal and somewhat derogatory term used to describe someone who flatters others, especially superiors, in order to gain personal advantages. Everyone in the office knows him as a brownnoser because he always compliments the boss. She was labeled a brownnoser for always agreeing with her manager.

He was known to be an adulator, always praising his boss to gain favor.
The adulator constantly showered the celebrity with compliments in hopes of getting a job.
The adulator's insincere flattery was transparent to those around him.

The word comes from the Latin 'adulare', meaning 'to flatter' or 'to wag.'
In English, the term has been used since the 16th century to describe over-the-top flattery.
Related words include 'adulation' which means excessive praise, and 'adulatory', which describes an act of flattery.

Psychological studies show that excessive flattery can sometimes diminish genuine relationships, leading to feelings of distrust.
People may often engage in adulation as a strategy to gain social approval or increase their status within a group.
Over adulation can create pressures for those in positions of power, leading them to question the sincerity of compliments they receive.

Adulators often appear in classic literature as characters who serve to reveal deeper truths about the protagonist’s relationships.
Famous literary works sometimes highlight the tension between sincere admiration and disingenuous flattery through adulator characters.
The role of the adulator can be both comedic and critical, showing how characters navigate social dynamics.

In modern media, adulators can often be seen in reality TV, where contestants flatter judges or participants to gain favor.
Many Hollywood actors depict adulator characters to show the sometimes superficial nature of relationships in showbiz.
Social media influences adulation, where 'likes' and comments can create pressure to flatter influencers and celebrities.

Throughout history, many monarchs employed flattery as a tool, allowing courtiers to achieve power through adulation.
Certain historical figures, like Machiavelli, warned against the dangers of flattery and emphasized the value of honest counsel.
In ancient courts, adulation was often seen as a necessary skill for political maneuvering, illustrating its long-standing presence in power dynamics.

Translations of the word "adulator" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adulador

🇮🇳 चापलूस

🇩🇪 Schmeichler

🇮🇩 penjilat

🇺🇦 підлабузник

🇵🇱 pochlebca

🇯🇵 おべっか使い

🇫🇷 flatteur

🇪🇸 adulador

🇹🇷 yalaka

🇰🇷 아첨꾼

🇸🇦 متملق

🇨🇿 lichotník

🇸🇰 lichotník

🇨🇳 奉承者

🇸🇮 prilizovalec

🇮🇸 smjaðari

🇰🇿 жарамсақ

🇬🇪 მლიქვნელი

🇦🇿 yalançı

🇲🇽 adulador