Praise — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈprāz/

Meaning & Definition of Praise

Praise (verb)

  1. to express a favorable judgment of, commend
  2. to glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections
  3. to express praise

Praise (noun)

  1. an expression of approval, commendation
  2. worship
  3. value, merit

Praise (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to proclaim the glory of

    "hymns that praise God"

    similar: bless, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol, glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, resound
    related: adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship, acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, renown, salute, chant, cheer, eulogize, rhapsodize, cite, flatter, crack up, recommend, tout
    near: blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate, criticize, reprove, admonish, chide, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, castigate, lambaste

  2. to declare enthusiastic approval of

    "the school volunteers were praised for their excellent work in the reading program"

    similar: acclaim, accredit, applaud, cheer, crack up, hail, laud, salute, tout, doff one's hat to
    related: bravo, clap, rise (to), ballyhoo, approve, commend, endorse, favor, recommend, root (for), support, celebrate, emblazon, eulogize, extol, glorify, magnify, sing, adulate, belaud, flatter, overpraise, deify, idolize
    opposite: knock, pan, slam
    near: belittle, discommend, disparage, put down, blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate, admonish, chide, criticize, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove, castigate, excoriate, keelhaul, lambaste, skewer, slag (chiefly British), vilify

Praise (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in recognition, acclaim

    similar: acclaim, accolade, acknowledgment, homage, kudos, laurels, recognition, infamy, character, mark, name, report, reputability, reputation, repute, cachet, place, position, prestige, rank, standing, stature, status, megastardom, popularity, stardom, superstardom, distinction, eminence, glory, greatness, honor, illustriousness, note, preeminence, prominence, visibility, adoration, idolization, celebrity, fame, notoriety, renown
    opposite: disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, odium, opprobrium, shame, inconspicuousness, invisibility, unpopularity, anonymity, oblivion, obscureness, obscurity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Praise

The most common words with a similar meaning to Praise:

bless, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol, glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, resound, acclaim, accredit, applaud, cheer, crack up, hail, salute, tout, doff one's hat to, accolade, acknowledgment, homage, kudos, laurels, recognition, infamy, character, mark, name, report, reputability, reputation, repute, cachet, place, position, prestige, rank, standing

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Praise

Words with the opposite meaning of Praise:

knock, pan, slam, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy, odium, opprobrium, shame, inconspicuousness, invisibility, unpopularity, anonymity, oblivion, obscureness, obscurity

Related Words for Praise

adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship, commend, compliment, chant, eulogize, rhapsodize, cite, flatter, recommend, bravo, clap, rise (to), ballyhoo, approve, endorse, favor, root (for), support, sing, adulate, overpraise

Near Antonyms of Praise

blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate, criticize, reprove, admonish, chide, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, castigate, lambaste, belittle, discommend, disparage, put down, excoriate, skewer, slag, vilify

Word Forms of Praise

Inflections: praised, praising

Derived words: praiser (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Praise

Middle English preisen, from Anglo-French preiser, priser to appraise, esteem prize

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Praise

Words & Phrases Containing Praise

praise be, praise be to God, praise (someone or something) to the skies, damn with faint praise, self-praise, in praise of

Frequently Asked Questions about Praise

What does "Praise" mean?

"Praise" means to express a favorable judgment of, commend. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to express a favorable judgment of, commend. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Praise"?

Other words for "Praise" include bless, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol, glorify and hymn. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Praise" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Praise"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Praise". Common alternatives include bless, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol, glorify, hymn, laud and magnify.

What is the opposite of "Praise"?

Antonyms of "Praise" include knock, pan, slam, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, ignominy and odium. Near antonyms include blame, censure, reprehend and reprobate.

How do you use "Praise" in a sentence?

Examples of "Praise" in a sentence: "hymns that praise God"; "the school volunteers were praised for their excellent work in the reading program".

Is "Praise" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Praise" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Praise" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Praise" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Praise"?

"Praise" is pronounced /ˈprāz/.