adulation

What does “adulation” mean?

noun.excessive admiration or praise.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in passages discussing celebrity culture, politics, or the influence of public opinion. It emphasizes the idea of uncritical or excessive praise, suggesting a lack of objectivity, and differs from simpler terms like "praise" by highlighting the idea that the admiration is over-the-top and potentially insincere.

Common Confusions

Adulation implies excessive and often insincere admiration, while admiration usually suggests a more genuine and moderate appreciation of someone's qualities or achievements.

Example Sentences

• He was uncomfortable with the adulation from his fans.

• The celebrities constant adulation from fans became overwhelming.

Word Parts: How to Remember “adulation”

Break “adulation” into its parts: ad- (to, toward). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ad- to, toward (Latin)