fulsome
adjective
ful·some ˈfu̇l-səm 
1
a
: characterized by abundance : copious
describes in fulsome detail
G. N. Shuster
G. N. Shusterfulsome bird life. The feeder overcrowded Maxine Kumin
Maxine Kumin b
: generous in amount, extent, or spirit
the passengers were fulsome in praise of the plane's crew Don Oliver
Don Olivera fulsome victory for the far left Bruce Rothwell
Bruce Rothwellthe greetings have been fulsome, the farewells tender Simon Gray
Simon Gray c
: being full and well developed
she was in generally fulsome, limpid voice Thor Eckert, Jr.
Thor Eckert, Jr.2
: aesthetically, morally, or generally offensive
fulsome lies and nauseous flattery William Congreve
William Congrevethe devil take thee for a … fulsome rogue George Villiers
George Villiers3
: exceeding the bounds of good taste : overdone
the fulsome chromium glitter of the escalators dominating the central hall Lewis Mumford
Lewis Mumford4
: excessively complimentary or flattering : effusive
an admiration whose extent I did not express, lest I be thought fulsome A. J. Liebling
A. J. Liebling fulsomely adverb
fulsomeness noun
Did you know?
You Don't Need to Get Negative About Fulsome
In the 19th century, fulsome was mostly a literary term used disapprovingly to describe excessive, insincere praise and flattery. This meaning is still current, but since the early 20th century fulsome has been increasingly used with far more positive meanings, among them “abundant, copious” and “full and well developed.” The result is some amount of confusion: a phrase like “fulsome praise” used today without clarifying context may rightly be understood to mean either “abundant praise” or “excessive and obsequious praise.” While some critics object to the pleasanter meanings of fulsome, they are in fact true to the word’s origins: when it was first used in the 14th century fulsome meant “abundant, copious.”
Synonyms
- adulatory
- gushing
- gushy
- hagiographic
- hagiographical
- oily
- oleaginous
- soapy
- unctuous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the player's fulsome praise for the coach showed just how hard he was trying to be named captain of the team grateful survivors who were fulsome in their praise of the rescue team
Recent Examples on the Web Coldplay and Natalie Imbruglia paid fulsome tribute to Olivia Newton-John, who died last week, at London’s Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Aug. 2022 Photographs, by their very nature, can capture this frightening, fulsome dichotomy, and the best photographers can capture it again and again. Joy Williams, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2022 The letter from 81 Democratic lawmakers further adds to the pressure Biden has been facing from his party to mount a more fulsome response to conservative rollbacks and to channel the anger and fear that millions of women are feeling. Yasmeen Abutaleb, Anchorage Daily News, 13 July 2022 And while a few bottles didn’t quite measure up to the fulsome praise promoting them, others turned out to be even better than described. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 If the fulsome slates of some producers are anything to go by – DR’s Leticia Brea, Estonia’s Tallifornia and Kask Films, for instance – production is a going concern in countries outside traditional production centers. John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2022 Earlier, Harry's brother Prince William had written to the young people to add his fulsome praise too. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 1 July 2022 Despite the absence of the higher-quality AAC and aptX codecs, these earbuds have a fulsome sound with a bass-heavy feel, but the midrange is never squashed and there’s sufficient treble to bring focus to the music. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 June 2022 There are fulsome discussions around ensuring a person with a juvenile record of violence or mental health struggles cannot get hold of such a weapon upon turning 18, when many juvenile records are expunged. Jennifer Haberkornstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2022 See More
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Aug. 2022 Photographs, by their very nature, can capture this frightening, fulsome dichotomy, and the best photographers can capture it again and again. Joy Williams, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2022 The letter from 81 Democratic lawmakers further adds to the pressure Biden has been facing from his party to mount a more fulsome response to conservative rollbacks and to channel the anger and fear that millions of women are feeling. Yasmeen Abutaleb, Anchorage Daily News, 13 July 2022 And while a few bottles didn’t quite measure up to the fulsome praise promoting them, others turned out to be even better than described. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 If the fulsome slates of some producers are anything to go by – DR’s Leticia Brea, Estonia’s Tallifornia and Kask Films, for instance – production is a going concern in countries outside traditional production centers. John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2022 Earlier, Harry's brother Prince William had written to the young people to add his fulsome praise too. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 1 July 2022 Despite the absence of the higher-quality AAC and aptX codecs, these earbuds have a fulsome sound with a bass-heavy feel, but the midrange is never squashed and there’s sufficient treble to bring focus to the music. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 16 June 2022 There are fulsome discussions around ensuring a person with a juvenile record of violence or mental health struggles cannot get hold of such a weapon upon turning 18, when many juvenile records are expunged. Jennifer Haberkornstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English fulsom copious, cloying, from full + -som -some
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
fulsome
adjective
1
as in sickening
overly or insincerely flattering the player's fulsome praise for the coach showed just how hard he was trying to be named captain of the team Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sickening
- gushy
- abundant
- unctuous
- adulatory
- hagiographic
- gushing
- lavish
- oleaginous
- soapy
- oily
- extravagant
- demonstrative
- hagiographical
- effusive
- drooling
- cloying
- copious
- slobbering
- artificial
- uninhibited
- winning
- slavering
- profuse
- backhanded
- ingratiating
- sanctimonious
- hypocritical
- insincere
- unreserved
- mushy
- feigned
- endearing
- mealymouthed
- unrestrained
- winsome
- disarming
- two-faced
- unrestrained
- left-handed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- heartfelt
- earnest
- genuine
- sincere
- honest
- artless
- unpretentious
- unfeigned
- true
- unaffected
- ingenuous
- unpretending
2
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation grateful survivors who were fulsome in their praise of the rescue team Synonyms & Similar Words
- generous
- charitable
- bountiful
- unstinting
- munificent
- bounteous
- liberal
- benevolent
- unsparing
- openhanded
- handsome
- bighearted
- profuse
- unselfish
- kind
- lavish
- open
- compassionate
- freehanded
- extravagant
- free
- overgenerous
- kindly
- hospitable
- magnanimous
- freehearted
- sympathetic
- philanthropic
- humanitarian
- beneficent
- altruistic
- philanthropical
- big
- openhearted
- largehearted
- greathearted
- samaritan
- good-hearted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- parsimonious
- ungenerous
- miserly
- cheap
- small
- stingy
- uncharitable
- tight
- selfish
- costive
- close
- petty
- tightfisted
- niggardly
- penurious
- illiberal
- spare
- sparing
- mingy
- chary
- stinting
- frugal
- closefisted
- mean
- thrifty
- grudging
- rapacious
- hoggish
- avaricious
- desirous
- acquisitive
- covetous
- begrudging
- avid
- envious
- stinting
- itchy
- mercenary
- resentful
- grasping
- coveting
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the author perpetuates some truly fulsome stereotypes in her novel Synonyms & Similar Words
- disgusting
- ugly
- sickening
- hideous
- awful
- obscene
- horrible
- shocking
- obnoxious
- dreadful
- offensive
- nasty
- unpleasant
- odious
- loathsome
- appalling
- noxious
- abominable
- scandalous
- nauseating
- gross
- horrid
- gruesome
- repugnant
- repulsive
- revolting
- evil
- abhorrent
- distasteful
- noisome
- horrendous
- horrific
- terrible
- repellent
- rancid
- foul
- vile
- disturbing
- nauseous
- undesirable
- monstrous
- objectionable
- repellant
- lurid
- unwanted
- disagreeable
- grim
- hateful
- contemptible
- exceptionable
- detestable
- ghastly
- horrifying
- grisly
- miserable
- execrable
- unwholesome
- unspeakable
- heinous
- despicable
- unwelcome
- macabre
- brackish
- nightmarish
- atrocious
- unsavory
- unhealthy
- frightful
- lousy
- hard
- dislikeable
- barbarous
- sickly
- dislikable
- sick
- unholy
- ungodly
- grewsome
- sickish
- upsetting
- off-putting
- uncivilized
- distressing
- unchristian
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delightful
- innocuous
- pleasant
- sweet
- agreeable
- luscious
- attractive
- delicious
- acceptable
- congenial
- felicitous
- inoffensive
- alluring
- delectable
- desirable
- satisfying
- nice
- welcome
- heavenly
- enjoyable
- dreamy
- gratifying
- pleasing
- dulcet
- appealing
- pleasurable
- inviting
- palatable
- savory
- savoury
- darling
- unexceptionable
- unobjectionable
- likeable
- blessed
- likable
- blest
- wholesome
- healthful
- healthy
- salubrious
- salutary
- restorative
- delightsome