- Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
- The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.
- Archaic. A reason for praise; merit.
- To express warm approbation of, commendation for, or admiration for.
- To extol or exalt; worship.
[Middle English preise, from preisen, to praise, from Old French preisier, from Late Latin pretiāre, to prize, from Latin pretium, price.]
praiser prais'er n.SYNONYMS praise, acclaim, commend, extol, laud. These verbs mean to express approval or admiration. To praise is to voice approbation, commendation, or esteem: “She was enthusiastically praising the beauties of Gothic architecture” (Francis Marion Crawford). Acclaim usually implies hearty approbation warmly and publicly expressed: The film was highly acclaimed by many critics. Commend suggests moderate or restrained approval, as that accorded by a superior: The judge commended the jury for their hard work. Extol suggests exaltation or glorification: “that sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present” (Sydney Smith). Laud connotes respectful or lofty, often inordinate praise: “aspirations which are lauded up to the skies” (Charles Kingsley).
