Overpraises

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To give undue acclaim or admiration to an individual or entity, often beyond what is warranted by their qualities or achievements
2. To excessively rave about someone's attributes or accomplishments, frequently disregarding their actual value or performance
3. Expresses admiration or approval that goes beyond what is deserved by a person's actions or qualities

Etymology: "Overpraises" is the third-person singular present form of "overpraise," so the core story belongs to the verb it comes from. That verb is built from two English parts: the prefix "over-," meaning excessively or beyond the proper measure, and "praise." Praise itself came into English through Old French from Latin "pretium," meaning price or value, so the root idea of praise is a kind of valuing. "Over-" can be attached to many verbs in English to mean doing something too much, as with "overeat" or "overcook." The verb traces back to Middle English "overpreisen," a combination of the same two elements. That makes "overpraise" an old and transparent formation: to praise something beyond what it deserves. The ending "-es" on "overpraises" simply marks the present tense for "he," "she," or "it."

Synonyms: exaggerates, overstates, lauds

Antonyms: criticizes, denigrates