adulated

Adulated is an adjective meaning highly praised or admired, often to an excessive degree. It can describe a person or thing that has been lavished with praise or flattery. As the past participle of the verb adulate, it may indicate that someone or something has received such praise.

Etymology and related forms: The term adulated derives from the verb adulate, which in turn comes from Latin adulari, to flatter. The related noun adulation denotes excessive or insincere praise. The base verb and its participle retain a sense of flattery and excessive admiration.

Usage notes: Adulated typically carries a evaluative or critical nuance in modern usage, and is more common in formal or literary contexts. It often implies that the praise is excessive, hypocritical, or unwarranted. Example: The adulated author thanked the crowd, while critics noted the lack of substance behind the accolades.

See also: adulation, adulate, flattery, praise.