Adulatory: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
adulatory
[หรฆdส.ษ.lษ.tษหr.i ]
Definition
in a flattering manner
Characterized by excessive or insincere praise; trying to gain favor or approval by flattery.
Synonyms
complimentary, fawning, flattering, obsequious, sycophantic.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| adulatory |
Used in formal contexts to describe excessive praise, often in a public or official setting.
|
| flattering |
Used to describe praise that makes someone look or feel better, often conveyed with a hint of exaggeration; can be sincere or insincere.
|
| complimentary |
Used in everyday situations to give positive feedback, often sincerely and without excess.
|
| fawning |
Used to describe behavior that is overly affectionate or submissive, usually to gain favor, and often seen as insincere.
|
| obsequious |
Used to describe overly submissive and eager-to-please behavior, typically with negative connotations.
|
| sycophantic |
Used to describe insincere flattery intended to gain advantage from someone with power, carries a strongly negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- She gave an adulatory speech to the boss in hopes of getting a promotion.
- The adulatory comments from the critics were clearly exaggerated.
- He received adulatory messages from his fans after the successful performance.
- The adulatory tone of the article made it clear that the author was biased.
- His adulatory behavior towards the celebrity was seen as insincere.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word originates from the Latin term 'adulatio', meaning 'flattery.'
- It was formed by combining the prefix 'ad-' (to) and 'ulatio' (to wag the tail), akin to how a dog wags its tail when excited.
- The term first appeared in English literature in the early 17th century, linking it to excessive praise.
Literature
- Many authors use 'adulatory' characters to explore themes of manipulation or insincerity.
- Famous playwrights often create scenes where characters engage in adulation to reveal social dynamics and power struggles.
- In satirical works, adulatory tones can be used to critique societal norms around praise and success.
Psychology
- Excessive adulation can sometimes lead to an inflated sense of self-worth, known as narcissism.
- Psychologists study the effects of praise on motivation, showing that while praise is important, too much of it can lead to dependency.
- Research indicates that genuine praise is more beneficial than empty adulation, which can create distrust.
Pop Culture
- In movies, the character who receives adulation often faces challenges, highlighting the risks of overreliance on others' opinions.
- Reality television often showcases adulatory behavior, where participants flatter judges or celebrities to gain favor.
- Social media has amplified adulation, leading to phenomena like influencers gaining popularity through excessive praise from followers.
Philosophy
- Philosophers debate the ethics of adulation, questioning whether it is sincere encouragement or manipulation.
- The idea of truth-telling versus flattery is central in philosophy, with 'adulatory' praise often seen as morally ambiguous.
- Some philosophical texts argue that genuine appreciation should come from a place of honesty, rather than mere social obligation.
Translations
Translations of the word "adulatory" in other languages:
๐ต๐น adulatรณrio
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเคชเคฒเฅเคธ
๐ฉ๐ช schmeichlerisch
๐ฎ๐ฉ mengampu
๐บ๐ฆ ัะปะตัะปะธะฒะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ pochlebny
๐ฏ๐ต ใไธ่พ
๐ซ๐ท adulateur
๐ช๐ธ adulador
๐น๐ท yalaka
๐ฐ๐ท ์์ฒจํ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ูุงุทู
๐จ๐ฟ podlรฉzavรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ lichotivรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๅฅๆฟ็
๐ธ๐ฎ prilizovalen
๐ฎ๐ธ smjaรฐrandi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐาัะผะฟะฐะท
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแฅแแแแแฃแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ yalaq
๐ฒ๐ฝ adulador