Overpraise: meaning, definitions and examples

👏
Add to dictionary

overpraise

 

[ ˌoʊvərˈpreɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

excessive admiration

To overpraise means to praise someone or something excessively, often to the point where it may not be justified. This can lead to an unrealistic perception of worth or talent, potentially creating pressure on the praised individual to maintain the inflated expectations. Overpraise can occur in various settings, such as in relationships, educational environments, or workplaces. While positive reinforcement is important, overpraising can diminish the value of genuine appreciation.

Synonyms

applaud excessively, exaggerate, flatter

Examples of usage

  • The teacher tended to overpraise her students, making them feel overly confident.
  • In the industry, some critics argue that overpraise can dilute genuine talent.
  • He was overpraised for a simple task, which left him feeling uncomfortable.

Translations

Translations of the word "overpraise" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exagerar os louros

🇮🇳 अधिक सराहना करना

🇩🇪 überloben

🇮🇩 memuji berlebihan

🇺🇦 перехвалити

🇵🇱 przesadzać z pochwałą

🇯🇵 過大評価する

🇫🇷 surévaluer

🇪🇸 sobrevalorar

🇹🇷 aşırı övmek

🇰🇷 과도하게 칭찬하다

🇸🇦 الإطراء المفرط

🇨🇿 přehánět chválu

🇸🇰 preceňovať

🇨🇳 过度赞扬

🇸🇮 pretiravati s pohvalo

🇮🇸 ofmeta

🇰🇿 артық мақтау

🇬🇪 გადაჭარბებული ქება

🇦🇿 hər şeyi həddindən artıq tərifləmək

🇲🇽 sobrevalorar

Etymology

The term 'overpraise' is a compound word formed from the prefix 'over-' which denotes excess or beyond the usual limit, combined with the word 'praise', which has its roots in Middle English and Old French. 'Praise' is derived from the Latin word 'pretiāre', meaning to set a price on or to value. The concept of praising has been a part of human interaction for centuries, often seen as a social tool to recognize accomplishments or good behavior. The addition of 'over-' indicates a level of intensity that is beyond the norm, highlighting a tendency to inflate compliments. The word likely gained traction as a critique of social dynamics where the value of recognition can become skewed, highlighting the potential problems that arise when admiration is not grounded in reality.