Synonyms for praise

noun

The act of praising
applause, applauding, adulation, blandishment, esteem, laud, commendation, approval, approbation, appreciation, cheering, advocacy, acclamation, adoration, acclaim, recognition, obeisance, sycophancy, homage, extolling, magnifying, glorifying, celebrating, exalting, giving thanks, saying grace, crying up, singing the praises of; see also admiration.
Antonyms hatred*, contempt, dislike.
An expression of praise
laudation, eulogy, encomium, laud, kudos, regard, applause, panegyric, recommendation, hand-clapping, hurrahs, huzzah(s), bravos, ovation, cheers, cries, whistling, tribute, compliment, elogium, acclaim, flattery, plaudit, paean, blessing, benediction, boost*, rave*, a big hand*, chit*, puff*.
Antonyms censure, blame*, condemnation.

sing someone's praise(s)

commend, acclaim, congratulate; see praise 1.

verb

To commend
commend, recommend, laud, acclaim, extol, eulogize, applaud, cheer, endorse, sanction, admire, adulate, elevate, aggrandize, smile on, hail, salute, give an ovation to, clap, pay tribute to, give credit to, put in a good word for, say a good word for, make much of, bestow honor upon, bow down and worship, pay homage to, sing the praises of, panegyrize, advocate, compliment, appreciate, admire, celebrate, honor, congratulate, flatter, puff, rave about, boost, root for*, give a big hand*, build up*, tout*, talk up*, cry up*; see also admire 1, approve 2, compliment 1, 2.
To speak or sing in worship
glorify, adore, reverence; see worship 2.

praise is the simple, basic word implying an expression of approval, esteem, or commendation to praise a student's work; laud implies great, sometimes extravagant praise the critics lauded the actor to the skies; acclaim suggests an outward show of strong approval, expressed by or as if by loud applause, cheering, etc. he was acclaimed the victor; a widely acclaimed novel; extol implies exalting or lofty praise to extol the virtues of a new drug; eulogize suggests lofty, formal praise in speech or writing, as on a special occasion the minister eulogized the exemplary life of the deceased

See praise in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms

praise acclaim commend extol laud

These verbs mean to express approval or admiration. To praise is to voice approbation, commendation, or esteem: “She was enthusiastically praising the beauties of Gothic architecture” (Francis Marion Crawford).
Acclaim usually implies hearty approbation warmly and publicly expressed: The film was highly acclaimed by many critics.
Commend suggests moderate or restrained approval, as that accorded by a superior: The judge commended the jury for their hard work.
Extol suggests exaltation or glorification: “that sign of old age, extolling the past at the expense of the present” (Sydney Smith).
Laud connotes respectful or lofty, often inordinate praise: “aspirations which are lauded up to the skies” (Charles Kingsley).

See praise in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II

noun