praise

n.

1. The act of praising

   applause, applauding, adulation, blandishment, esteem, laud, commendation, approval, approbation, appreciation, cheering, advocacy, acclamation, adoration, acclaim, recognition, obeisance, sycophancy, homage, extolling, magnifying, glorifying, celebrating, exalting, giving thanks, saying grace, crying up, singing the praises of; see also admiration.

   Antonyms hatred*, contempt*, dislike. *

2. An expression of praise

   laudation, eulogy, encomium, laud, kudos, regard, applause, panegyric, recommendation, hand-clapping, hurrahs, huzzah(s), bravos, ovation, cheers, cries, whistling, tribute, compliment, elogium, acclaim, flattery, plaudit, paean, blessing, benediction, boost*, rave*, a big hand*, chit*, puff*. *

   Antonyms censure, blame*, condemnation.

sing someone's praise(s)

praise

v.

1. To commend

   commend, recommend, laud, acclaim, extol, eulogize, applaud, cheer, endorse, sanction, admire, adulate, elevate, aggrandize, smile on, hail, salute, give an ovation to, clap, pay tribute to, give credit to, put in a good word for, say a good word for, make much of, bestow honor upon, bow down and worship, pay homage to, sing the praises of, panegyrize, advocate, compliment, appreciate, admire, celebrate, honor, congratulate, flatter, puff, rave about, boost, root for*, give a big hand*, build up*, tout*, talk up*, cry up*; see also admire 1, approve 2, compliment 1, 2.

2. To speak or sing in worship

   glorify, adore, reverence; see worship 2.

praise is the simple, basic word implying an expression of approval, esteem, or commendation to praise a student's work; laud implies great, sometimes extravagant praise the critics lauded the actor to the skies; acclaim suggests an outward show of strong approval, expressed by or as if by loud applause, cheering, etc. he was acclaimed the victor; a widely acclaimed novel; extol implies exalting or lofty praise to extol the virtues of a new drug; eulogize suggests lofty, formal praise in speech or writing, as on a special occasion the minister eulogized the exemplary life of the deceased