If you describe expressions of praise, apology, or gratitude as fulsome, you disapprove of them because they are exaggerated and elaborate, so that they sound insincere.
[disapproval]
Newspapers have been fulsome in their praise of the former president.
Synonyms: extravagant, excessive, over the top, sickening More Synonyms of fulsome
fulsomelygraded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
She chatted to them about the show and praised them fulsomely.
fulsome in British English
(ˈfʊlsəm)
adjective
1.
excessive or insincere, esp in an offensive or distasteful way
fulsome compliments
2. not standard
extremely complimentary
3. informal
full, rich or abundant
a fulsome figure
a fulsome flavour
fulsome detail
4. archaic
disgusting; loathsome
▶ USAGE The use of fulsome to mean extremely complimentary or full, rich or abundant is common in journalism, but should be avoided in other kinds of writing
Derived forms
fulsomely (ˈfulsomely)
adverb
fulsomeness (ˈfulsomeness)
noun
fulsome in American English
(ˈfʊlsəm)
adjective
1.
disgusting or offensive, esp. because excessive or insincere
fulsome praise
2.
full; ample; abundant
usage objected to by some
Derived forms
fulsomely (ˈfulsomely)
adverb
fulsomeness (ˈfulsomeness)
noun
Word origin
ME fulsom, abundant, disgustingly excessive < ful, full1 + -som, -some1, but infl. by ful, foul; (sense 2) apparent revival of the orig. sense, obs. since 16th c.
Examples of 'fulsome' in a sentence
fulsome
Intended as a fulsome accolade, it was recognized as such by all around.
Dobbs, Michael THE TOUCH OF INNOCENTS (2001)
She told him, when he became fulsome, that she didn't want thanks from him, and it was true.
Clive Barker THE HELLBOUND HEART (2001)
Rebecca glares at the bugle sitting on the sill, the dark uncurtained window, the fulsome moon, Marylebone.
Sean Thomas THE CHEEK PERFORATION DANCE (2001)
She told him, when he became fulsome, that she didn't want thanks from him, and itwas true.
Clive Barker THE HELLBOUND HEART (2001)
(adjective)
Definition
exaggerated and elaborate, and often sounding insincere
They have been fulsome in their praise.
Synonyms
extravagant
I was extravagant in my admiration of them.
excessive
The length of the prison sentence was excessive considering the nature of the crime.
over the top
The special effects are a bit over the top, but I enjoyed it.
sickening
overdone
In fact, all the panic about the drought in Britain was overdone.
fawning
nauseating
inordinate
They spent an inordinate amount of time talking.
ingratiating
His fellow students had found him too ingratiating.
cloying
Her cheap, cloying scent enveloped him.
insincere
saccharine
The cashier smiled with saccharine sweetness.
sycophantic
his clique of sycophantic friends
unctuous
the kind of unctuous tone that I've heard at diplomatic parties
smarmy (British, informal)
He is slightly smarmy and eager to impress.
immoderate
He launched an immoderate tirade on his son.
adulatory
adulatory reviews
gross
Usage note
In journalism, fulsome is often used simply to mean `extremely complimentary' or `full, rich, or abundant'. In other kinds of writing, however, this word should only be used if you intend to suggest negative overtones of excess or insincerity.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adulatory
adulatory reviews
Synonyms
fawning,
worshipping,
flattering,
sycophantic,
servile,
slavish,
obsequious,
bootlicking (informal),
blandishing,
praising
in the sense of cloying
Definition
so sweet or pleasurable that it ultimately becomes sickly
Her cheap, cloying scent enveloped him.
Synonyms
sickly,
nauseating,
icky (informal),
treacly,
oversweet,
excessive
in the sense of excessive
The length of the prison sentence was excessive considering the nature of the crime.