Meaning & use
eulogize
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To praise someone highly in a formal speech or piece of writing, especially at a funeral or retirement.
Grammar: Takes an object: eulogize someone. Often used in the passive: he was eulogized by his colleagues.
Patterns
- eulogize someone
- eulogize someone as something
At the memorial service, his daughter eulogized him with warmth and humor.
The retiring CEO was eulogized by several board members.
verbtransitive
To speak or write in high praise of something, such as an institution or achievement.
Grammar: Takes an object; can be used for things as well as people, but still suggests formal praise.
Patterns
- eulogize something
- eulogize something as something
The documentary eulogizes the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Several articles eulogized the company's contribution to medical research.
Word forms
| third person singular | eulogizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | eulogized |
| past participle | eulogized |
| -ing form | eulogizing |
Common combinations
- eulogize someone at a funeral
- He eulogized his grandfather at the funeral, recalling his love of gardening.
- eulogize someone as a hero
- The mayor eulogized the firefighter as a hero who saved three lives.
- eulogize a colleague
- At the retirement dinner, they eulogized their colleague for her decades of service.
- eulogize the past
- The novel eulogizes the past, painting an idealized picture of village life.
Synonyms and how they differ
- praise
- More general and can be used for everyday compliments; 'eulogize' is reserved for formal tributes.
- laud
- Formal and often used in writing; similar to 'eulogize' but can be less ceremonial.
- extol
- Means to praise highly, often in a public way; similar to 'eulogize' but can focus on qualities rather than a person.
Opposites
Word family
- eulogy noun
- A formal speech or piece of writing that praises someone highly.
- eulogistic adjective
- Expressing high praise, especially in a formal tribute.
- eulogistically adverb
- In a way that expresses high praise.
Commonly confused: eulogize or elegize?
eulogize vs elegize
Means to write a poem or song expressing sorrow for someone who has died; it focuses on mourning, while 'eulogize' focuses on praise.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'eulogize' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 fits because 'eulogize' means to praise someone in a formal speech, especially at a funeral. Option 1 contradicts the meaning by complaining about faults. Option 2 is wrong because eulogizing involves speaking about the person. Option 3 is odd because eulogizing is not used for neutral topics like weather.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “eulogize”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.