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Fulsome - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Fulsome means excessive or insincere, often describing praise, flattery, or behavior that is overly effusive to the point of being offensive or cloying. It can also imply abundance.

fulsome

/ˈfʊlsəm/ /ˈfʊlsəm/

Definition:

Excessively flattering or insincere, often to an offensive degree.

Synonyms:

Effusive, gushing, cloying, sycophantic

Part of Speech:

Adjective

Antonyms:

Sincere, restrained, genuine

Common Collocations:

Fulsome praise, fulsome compliments, fulsome apology

Derivatives:

Fulsomely, fulsomeness

Usage Tips:

Avoid using "fulsome" to mean "abundant"; it often implies excessive or insincere flattery.

Common Phrases:

Fulsome praise, fulsome tribute, fulsome admiration

Etymology:

From Middle English "fulsom," meaning "copious," later evolving to imply excessiveness or insincerity.

Examples:

  • 1. Her fulsome compliments made everyone uncomfortable.
  • 2. The critic dismissed the speech as fulsome and insincere.
  • 3. He offered a fulsome apology for his mistake.
  • 4. The biography was criticized for its fulsome portrayal of the leader.

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