Adulated

To adulate is to excessively praise or admire someone, often to an obsequious or servile degree. It involves showering someone with flattery and praise, sometimes beyond what is deserved, often motivated by a desire for personal gain or favor. This behavior can manifest through exaggerated compliments, expressions of admiration, and a willingness to cater to the admired individual's whims. The term often implies a degree of insincerity or artificiality in the display of affection and respect. Adulation can create an unbalanced dynamic, placing the recipient on a pedestal and potentially fostering an inflated ego. It suggests a lack of genuine connection and can be a form of manipulation.

Adulated meaning with examples

• The movie star found herself constantly surrounded by fans, all adulating her every move. She signed autographs with a smile, but deep down, the constant flattery felt hollow and disconnected from reality, leaving her searching for a real connection with others. She started to find the constant praise tiresome.
• The ambitious politician, adept at working a crowd, was known for adulating potential donors during fundraising events. He’d compliment their generosity, their business acumen, and their importance to the community, often going overboard with flattering statements in order to secure their financial support for his campaign.
• In the court of the extravagant king, courtiers were expected to adulate him daily, competing with each other to express the most over-the-top compliments. Whispered secrets amongst the ranks of the nobility told of the absurdity of the scene and how hollow it really was.
• The young athlete, fresh from a championship win, was adulated by the local media, who proclaimed him a national hero. Interviews were filled with effusive praise. Though the attention was flattering initially, the pressure and unrealistic expectations soon began to weigh on him. The coach saw signs of strain.
• Social media platforms were filled with messages adulating the celebrity's new fashion line. Comments were overflowing with hyperbole and praise, and many users seemed more interested in the attention the praise would draw them from their followers than a real evaluation of the merchandise's value.