disproportionate praise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disproportionate praise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone receives more praise than is warranted or deserved based on their actions or achievements. Example: "The athlete received disproportionate praise for a single game, overshadowing the team's overall performance throughout the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Like a quarterback, he can expect disproportionate praise and blame — hero worship when he does well, merciless criticism if he does not.

The New York Times - Sports

She drives them to matches, shouts from the sidelines and heaps disproportionate praise on her son, much - of course - to his embarrassment.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The system itself is fucked because I do get a disproportionate amount of attention and praise in advocating for these issues.

Huffington Post

Moreover, Poland is among those countries singled out by Mr Gates for failing to do enough in Libya.That said, Mr Gates did pick out some allies for praise in carrying out a disproportionate share of the bombing campaign in Libya Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Canadaa.

The Economist

His language moved listeners between the local and national conditions of Black life with ease, from praise for Black women who provide disproportionate care in our communities to the devastating murders of Tamir Rice, Rekia Boyd, and others.

Huffington Post

But the praise heaped upon him then and since has been disproportionate and sometimes histrionic.

BBC

In Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Thursday, Judge John Gleeson issued an opinion praising the new approach as a way to address swelling prison costs and disproportionate sentences for drug trafficking.

The New York Times

If 2010 was, in literary terms, a year of disproportionate attention lavished on a few high-profile titles, 2011 looks set to be one in which the spoils of praise and publicity are more evenly divided.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Wainstein, who praised Mr. Berg's "courage to stand up to the mob," said a 40-day suspension was disproportionate when compared with similar but less politically fraught cases; Mr. Bottini may seek a reduction, he said.

The New York Times

"It was completely disproportionate".

The New York Times

Disproportionate to the provocation.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disproportionate praise", ensure you clearly indicate what the praise is disproportionate to. Provide context about the actual achievement or contribution to highlight the imbalance.

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionate praise" without specifying the baseline or expected level of praise. Without this context, the phrase can be vague and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disproportionate praise" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun. It indicates that the amount of praise given is not in proper relation to the merit of the action or person being praised. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disproportionate praise" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, although it is relatively rare. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to describe situations where the amount of praise given is not justified by the achievement or action. The primary context of use is in news and media, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context about what the praise is disproportionate to, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives include "excessive commendation" or "undue adulation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionate flattery

Using flattery instead of praise.

excessive commendation

Emphasizes the over-the-top nature of the praise given.

undue adulation

Highlights that the praise is not deserved or justified.

inflated accolades

Suggests the praise is exaggerated or artificially amplified.

unmerited applause

Focuses on the lack of deserving quality of the praise.

overblown compliments

Indicates that the compliments are exaggerated and disproportionate to the achievement.

unwarranted acclaim

Highlights that the positive attention is not justified.

exaggerated flattery

Focuses on the insincere and overstated nature of the praise.

gratuitous praise

Suggests the praise is unnecessary or excessive.

unreasonable glorification

This suggests an excessive and illogical elevation of someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "disproportionate praise" in a sentence?

You can use "disproportionate praise" to describe situations where someone receives more commendation than their actions warrant. For example, "The movie received "disproportionate praise", despite its many flaws".

What's the difference between "disproportionate praise" and "excessive praise"?

"Disproportionate praise" suggests an imbalance between the praise and the accomplishment, while "excessive praise" simply means there's too much praise in general. "Disproportionate praise" focuses on the ratio, whereas "excessive praise" emphasizes the amount.

What are some alternatives to using "disproportionate praise" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "undue adulation", "unmerited applause", or "inflated accolades".

Is it always negative to receive "disproportionate praise"?

While often negative, as it can create unrealistic expectations or resentment, receiving "disproportionate praise" can also be positive in some contexts, such as when it's used to encourage someone who is struggling or to highlight a small but significant achievement.