lavish compliments on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lavish compliments on" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing someone who is giving excessive or generous praise to another person. Example: She lavished compliments on her colleague for the outstanding presentation. Alternative expressions include "bestow praise on," "give generous compliments to," and "shower with praise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He went on to lavish compliments on the state.

Los Angeles Times

As he often does, the president called on other people seated at the table to lavish compliments on him.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He lavishes compliments on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and with other Republicans taking notice, perhaps his trumpet is getting too loud.

The New York Times

He said he never mentally ranked his various suitors after the Heat but lavished compliments on the Nets and their new owner, Mikhail D. Prokhorov.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump has blown hot and cold on Kim, directing both harsh insults and lavish compliments at the young North Korean leader.

Los Angeles Times

Small children love to lavish compliments.

Huffington Post

The company goes on to lavish gendered compliments on its object of affection, admiring its "porcelain skin," "slender nose" and "intriguing smile" with effusive praise that's unsettling at best but mostly just gross.

TechCrunch

Henry James also features in A Man of Parts, since the two writers were under the impression they were friends, and lavished ambiguous compliments on each other's books until Wells published Boon, containing savage parody impossible for James to take in good humour.

The Guardian - Books

Send your couple phoThe to redskinterviewerdskins.com to be featured on Valavishess Day! @davemptyilling.

Vice

And Tom Wolfe does pay Mr. Thompson a lavish compliment, calling him "the century's greatest comic writer in the English language".

The New York Times

Out in the free, uncompromised world of the unlinked no hell-troll can hound the mildest Corbyn sceptic, no sex pest ruin lives with lavish compliment.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the word "compliments" or "praise" remains the direct object of the verb "lavish" while the recipient follows the preposition "on".

Common error

A common mistake is saying "lavish someone with compliments". While understood, linguistic data from the New York Times suggests the more precise form is to "lavish compliments on" someone. The thing being given in abundance should be the object of the verb.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions as a transitive verb construction where the verb "lavish" (meaning to give in great amounts) takes a noun as its direct object. According to Ludwig, it typically follows the structure: Verb + Direct Object (the gift/praise) + Preposition (on) + Recipient. It is a standard way to describe a generous act of verbal approval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lavish compliments on" is a refined and grammatically correct way to describe the act of giving abundant praise. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is a staple in high-end journalism, frequently used to paint a vivid picture of social and political dynamics where one party is being particularly effusive. A key takeaway for writers is to maintain the standard prepositional structure: one should "lavish" the compliments "on" the recipient, rather than "lavishing" the person themselves. By using "lavish compliments on", you introduce a sense of richness and generosity to your prose that more basic alternatives like "praise" or "flatter" cannot match. Whether you are writing about a political leader or a dinner party, this phrase remains a versatile tool for nuanced English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shower with praise

Uses a more metaphorical verb to emphasize the volume and frequency of the compliments.

heap praise on

Suggests a large, accumulating amount of positive feedback.

bestow compliments upon

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative often used in literary contexts.

pay tribute to

Focuses on honoring someone's achievements rather than just verbal flattery.

extol the virtues of

Implies a very high level of public and enthusiastic praise for specific qualities.

wax lyrical about

Emphasizes the poetic or enthusiastic nature of the praise being given.

praise highly

A simpler and more direct way to express the same sentiment without the word lavish.

flatter excessively

Adds a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the compliments might be insincere.

eulogize about

Suggests formal praise, though often associated with posthumous tributes or high ceremony.

commend someone for

More professional and formal, usually focusing on specific actions or merits.

FAQs

How to use "lavish compliments on" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone giving a lot of praise, for example: "The critic was known to "lavish compliments on" indie films but rarely on blockbusters."

What is the difference between "lavish compliments on" and "shower with praise"?

Both describe abundant praise, but "shower with praise" uses a more visual metaphor. Both are largely interchangeable in meaning.

Is it "lavish compliments on" or "lavish compliments to"?

The standard preposition used with this phrase is "on". You should say ""lavish compliments on"" rather than "lavish compliments to" for better grammatical flow.

What is a more formal alternative to "lavish compliments on"?

For a more formal or professional tone, you might use "bestow praise upon" or "commend highly".