fulsome praise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fulsome praise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe excessive or insincere praise, often implying that the praise is over the top or not genuine. Example: "The CEO received fulsome praise from the board, but many employees felt it was unwarranted given the recent performance issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was greeted with fulsome praise and won the Bancroft award, the main historical prize.

The Economist

THERE was fulsome praise from fellow senators, of course, but something more.

The Economist

Trump's fulsome praise of Putin, on the other hand, bordered on the sycophantic.

The Washington Post

Moreno described Fallon as a strong experienced manager and gave Scardino fulsome praise.

The Guardian

The news that came out of the event was Blair's fulsome praise of Hillary Clinton.

The New Yorker

Such fulsome praise inevitably recalls the anonymous wag who described "Dance" as "Proust translated by Wodehouse".

The New York Times - Books

It's fulsome praise, but then, Roth was paying tribute to a recently departed and lifelong friend.

The New Yorker

Its frequent use in "fulsome praise" gives that phrase the meaning of "cloying, unctuous, obsequious flattery".

The New York Times - Magazine

U.S. officials, aware of Pakistan's often-prickly response to perceived slights, were deferential to the Pakistanis and offered fulsome praise.

The Washington Post

To some, fulsome praise means "full-fledged acknowledgment of worthiness"; to others, it means "overboard apple-polishing; nauseating flattery".

The New York Times - Magazine

He always reads out the whole letter, including any fulsome praise, which reminds me of Steve Wright in the Afternoon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fulsome praise" when you want to describe praise that is abundant, but be aware of its potential negative connotation of insincerity. Consider the context and audience to ensure your intended meaning is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "fulsome praise" when you intend to convey purely positive and genuine admiration. The word "fulsome" can imply excessive or insincere flattery, so choose alternatives like "lavish praise" or "sincere admiration" if you want to avoid any ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fulsome praise" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., received, offered, heaped). It describes the act of giving praise, but with a nuance of excessiveness or potential insincerity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts to depict situations where the praise given might be viewed as exaggerated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fulsome praise" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes abundant or excessive praise. However, it carries a nuance of insincerity or being over-the-top, which writers should be mindful of. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When aiming to convey genuine admiration, alternatives like "lavish praise" or "sincere admiration" might be more appropriate. The key takeaway is to understand the potential negative connotation of "fulsome" and choose your words carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lavish praise

Indicates an abundance of praise, similar to "fulsome praise" but without the potential negative connotation of insincerity.

effusive praise

Emphasizes the emotional outpouring of praise, suggesting heartfelt and unrestrained admiration.

extravagant praise

Highlights the excessive and potentially unwarranted nature of the praise, similar to one interpretation of "fulsome praise".

over-the-top praise

Implies that the praise is exaggerated and possibly insincere or inappropriate for the situation.

glowing tribute

Refers to praise given in a formal setting, often after someone's death or departure, emphasizing admiration and respect.

heartfelt commendation

Indicates sincere and genuine approval, focusing on the positive sentiment behind the praise.

sincere admiration

Highlights the genuineness of the praise, suggesting deep respect and appreciation.

high acclaim

Emphasizes the widespread recognition and approval received, often in a professional or artistic context.

rapturous applause

Captures the enthusiastic and prolonged approval of an audience, suggesting overwhelming support.

unqualified approval

Indicates complete and unconditional endorsement, suggesting no reservations or criticisms.

FAQs

What does "fulsome praise" mean?

"Fulsome praise" typically means excessive or abundant praise, but it often carries a connotation of insincerity or being over-the-top. Its meaning can sometimes be misinterpreted, so consider alternatives if you intend pure admiration.

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

You can use "fulsome praise" to describe situations where someone is being praised extensively, but there's a sense that the praise might be exaggerated or not entirely genuine. Example: "The company received "fulsome praise" for its innovative marketing campaign, but some critics questioned its actual impact."

What are some alternatives to "fulsome praise" that don't imply insincerity?

If you want to express genuine and enthusiastic praise without any negative connotations, consider using alternatives like "lavish praise", "effusive praise", or "heartfelt commendation".

Is "fulsome" always negative?

While "fulsome" can imply excessiveness or insincerity, its negativity depends on the context. In the phrase "fulsome praise", it often suggests that the praise is overdone and possibly not genuine. However, without the noun "praise", the adjective "fulsome" may be closer to "abundant" or "copious".