extol
verb

- to praise something or someone very much, especially in a formal way

Cambridge Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "extol" derives from the Latin word extollere, comprising ex- — a prefix meaning "out" or "upward", and tollere — a verb meaning "to lift" or "to raise".

So the literal meaning in Latin was "to lift up" or "to raise up”.

The word entered English in the late Middle English period (around the 14th-15th centuries), where it retained its meaning of raising something up — but in a figurative sense of raising through praise rather than physical lifting.

Throughout its history in English, "extol" has consistently been used to mean praising highly or celebrating something through words, maintaining its connection to the original idea of lifting something up —in this case, lifting someone or something up through verbal praise.



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EXTOL WITH CARE

-  Highlight thoughtful preparation
    “I noticed the process unfolded with an unusual ease, which I suspect was not entirely coincidental.”

-  Note their influence on your process
    “I found myself recalling your approach when navigating a similar situation recently.”

-  Acknowledge their consistency
    “It’s not uncommon for your assessments to align closely with the eventual outcome.”

-  Recognize their listening skills
    “You seemed to catch a nuance in the discussion that might have otherwise slipped by.”

-  Point out their calming presence
    “There was a certain steadiness to the atmosphere that I couldn’t help but attribute, at least in part, to your involvement.”

-  Mention their knack for timing
    “The point you raised arrived at a moment when it was particularly pertinent.”

-  Appreciate their discretion
    “You managed to address the matter with a degree of tact that was quietly effective.”

-  Reflect on their adaptability
    “The way you adjusted to the shifting circumstances was, I thought, quite seamless.”

-  Spotlight their quiet leadership
    “It was interesting to observe how the direction of the conversation seemed to shift after your input.”

-  Note their ability to simplify
    “You have a way of distilling complex matters that tends to clarify things for the rest of us.”

Subtle praise often leaves a deeper impression than lavish compliments, giving recipients space to recognize their contributions without drawing unwanted attention.

Helga & Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

acclaim, aggrandize, applaud, apotheosize, beatify, belaud, brag about, celebrate, chant praises, crown with laurel, deify, dignify, elevate, emblazon, endorse, esteem, exalt, exaltate, express admiration for, EXTOL, eulogize, give a shout-out to, glorify, hail, heap praise on, herald, hero-worship, honour, idolize, immortalize, lift up, lionize, make much of, panegyrize, pay homage to, pay tribute to, praise (to the skies), promote, puff up, put on a pedestal, rave (about), roll out the red carpet for, sanctify, sing the praises of, sound off about, speak highly of, trumpet, venerate, wax lyrical about, worship

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation today, say something like:

"Health authorities have long EXTOLLED the benefits of regular exercise."

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