adulatoris

Adulatoris is a term used in sociolinguistics and discourse analysis to describe a pattern of speech and behavior characterized by excessive praise toward a target, typically to gain favor, influence outcomes, or secure reciprocal advantages. The term emphasizes performative, strategic aspects of praise rather than sincere admiration.

Origin and terminology: The word draws on the Latin adulator, meaning flatterer, with the genitive form adulatoris. In scholarly and popular discussions, adulatoris is used to classify a discourse style rather than a clinical or psychological condition.

Contexts and manifestations: Adulatoris can appear in workplaces (public praise of managers, alignment with proposals to build support), online communities (praising moderators or influential figures), political settings (glowing endorsements), and service interactions (expressed gratitude coupled with deference). Common features include one-sided praise, alignment with the target’s preferences, and expressions of indebtedness.

Forms and differentiation: It is distinguished from genuine praise and from more aggressive manipulation; it exists on a spectrum from mild ingratiation to overt sycophancy. Some analyses assess adulatoris by the frequency of flattering tokens, alignment cues, and shifts in stance to accommodate power dynamics.

Critique and implications: Critics argue that pervasive adulatoris can erode trust and authenticity in communication, while defenders may see it as a pragmatic way to ease coordination in certain social contexts or to facilitate negotiations.

See also: flattery, ingratiation, impression management, discourse analysis.