Glorify vs. Praise — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 26, 2024
Glorifying involves attributing divine honor or extreme admiration to someone or something, while praising is expressing approval or admiration in a more general sense.
Difference Between Glorify and Praise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Glorifying someone or something typically means attributing to them a level of perfection, honor, or divine quality that is beyond mere approval. It often carries a sense of awe or reverence, suggesting an elevation of the subject to a higher status. On the other hand, praising involves expressing approval, admiration, or commendation, usually in a more straightforward and earthly manner. While praise can be part of glorification, the latter implies a deeper, more profound admiration.
Glorification is often used in religious or spiritual contexts, where it denotes the act of giving honor to a deity or sacred entity. This involves practices and expressions that elevate the subject to a divine or exalted status. Praise, while it can also be used in religious contexts, is more commonly applied in everyday situations to express satisfaction or admiration for someone's actions, qualities, or achievements.
The act of glorifying can encompass a range of expressions from verbal accolades to actions meant to honor or immortalize the subject. It often implies a transformation in the perception of the glorified, seeing them in a light that transcends normal human qualities. Conversely, praise is typically expressed through words of approval or commendation and is grounded in recognizing the worth or value of the subject's actions or characteristics without necessarily elevating them beyond the human realm.
In the arts or history, to glorify can mean to represent something or someone in a manner that highlights their utmost importance or value, often idealizing them. Praise in these contexts, however, usually refers to acknowledging the skill, creativity, or impact of a work or figure without the implication of infallibility or divine-like reverence.
The concept of glorification can vary significantly, often reflecting a society’s values regarding heroism, sanctity, or virtue. It can lead to the creation of symbols, narratives, or practices that embody the highest ideals of a culture. Praise, being more universally understood and applied, acts as a social tool for encouragement, recognition, and the reinforcement of positive behaviors or achievements without necessarily connoting a deeper, culturally specific reverence.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Attributing divine honor or extreme admiration.
Expressing approval or admiration.
Context
Often religious or spiritual.
Broad, including everyday situations.
Expression
Can be through actions or words, implies a higher transformation.
Primarily verbal, straightforward commendation.
Purpose
To elevate the subject to a higher, often divine status.
To acknowledge and encourage positive qualities or actions.
Cultural Significance
Reflects values of heroism, sanctity, or virtue; varies by culture.
Universally used as a social tool for encouragement.
Compare with Definitions
Glorify
It suggests an elevation to a higher status.
The film glorifies the sacrifices of soldiers.
Praise
It is straightforward and focuses on commendation.
Critics praised the novel for its intricate plot.
Glorify
Often used in religious contexts to honor deities.
The hymns glorify the divine aspects of the universe.
Praise
Encourages and acknowledges positive actions.
The community praised the firefighters for their bravery.
Glorify
Can imply idealization or perfection.
Artists often glorify nature in their paintings.
Praise
Acts as a social tool for recognition.
The award praises innovators in technology.
Glorify
Reflects deep admiration or reverence.
The biography glorifies its subject, presenting her in an almost saintly light.
Praise
Commonly used in everyday situations.
She was praised for her generosity towards the needy.
Glorify
Glorifying means attributing divine qualities.
The poem glorifies the hero as if he were a god.
Praise
Praise as a form of social interaction expresses recognition, reassurance or admiration. Praise is expressed verbally as well as by body language (facial expression and gestures).
Glorify
To give glory, honor, or high praise to; exalt.
Praise
Praise involves expressing approval or admiration.
The teacher praised the student for his hard work.
Glorify
To cause to be or seem more glorious or excellent than is actually the case
A description that glorified a cabin into a mansion.
Praise
Express warm approval or admiration of
We can't praise Chris enough—he did a brilliant job
Glorify
To give glory to, especially through worship.
Praise
Express one's respect and gratitude towards (a deity), especially in song
We praise God for past blessings
Glorify
(transitive) To exalt, or give glory or praise to (something or someone).
Praise
The expression of approval or admiration for someone or something
The audience was full of praise for the whole production
Glorify
(transitive) To make (something) appear to be more glorious than it is; regard something or someone as excellent baselessly.
Some movies glorify mobsters by making them seem like the cool kids around the block.
Historical dictators are glorified in some countries that are dictatorships and by some political radicals.
Praise
The expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship
Give praise to God
Glorify
(transitive) To worship or extol.
Praise
Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
Glorify
To make glorious by bestowing glory upon; to confer honor and distinction upon; to elevate to power or happiness, or to celestial glory.
Jesus was not yet glorified.
Praise
The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.
Glorify
To make glorious in thought or with the heart, by ascribing glory to; to acknowledge the excellence of; to render homage to; to magnify in worship; to adore.
That we for thee may glorify the Lord.
Praise
(Archaic) A reason for praise; merit.
Glorify
To make (something or someone) appear to be more important, splendid, or valuable than would normally be thought; as, to glorify every routine job by giving its performer the title "engineer"..
Praise
To express warm approval of, commendation for, or admiration for.
Glorify
Praise, glorify, or honor;
Extol the virtues of one's children
Glorify one's spouse's cooking
Praise
To express a feeling of veneration or gratitude to (a deity); worship or glorify.
Glorify
Bestow glory upon;
The victory over the enemy glorified the Republic
Praise
Commendation; favourable representation in words.
The writer's latest novel received great praise in the media.
You deserve praise for the hard work you've done recently.
She gave them some faint praise for their assignments, despite not being totally convinced by the quality.
Dim praise
Glorify
Elevate or idealize, in allusion to Christ's transfiguration
Praise
Worship.
Praise of God
Glorify
Cause to seem more splendid;
You are glorifying a rather mediocre building
Praise
To give praise to; to commend, glorify, or worship.
Be sure to praise Bobby for his excellent work at school this week.
Some of the passengers were heard praising God as the stricken plane landed safely.
Praise
To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud; - applied to a person or his acts.
Let her own works praise her in the gates.
We praise not Hector, though his name, we know,Is great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe.
Praise
To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of; - applied especially to the Divine Being.
Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts!
Praise
To value; to appraise.
Praise
Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.
There are men who always confound the praise of goodness with the practice.
Praise
Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship; as, a service of praise.
Praise
The object, ground, or reason of praise.
He is thy praise, and he is thy God.
Praise
An expression of approval and commendation;
He always appreciated praise for his work
Praise
Offering words of homage as an act of worship;
They sang a hymn of praise to God
Praise
Express approval of;
The parents praised their children for their academic performance
Common Curiosities
What impact does glorifying someone have compared to praising them?
Glorifying someone can have a more profound impact by elevating their status or actions to an idealized or divine level, while praising someone typically acknowledges and encourages their positive attributes or actions in a more immediate and tangible way.
What distinguishes glorify from praise?
Glorifying involves attributing divine honor or extreme admiration, often elevating the subject to a higher status, while praising is expressing approval or admiration in a more straightforward manner.
Is it appropriate to use "glorify" in everyday language?
"Glorify" is typically used in contexts that require an expression of deep admiration or reverence, making it less common in everyday casual conversations than "praise."
How does the intention behind glorifying and praising differ?
The intention behind glorifying often aims to elevate and immortalize the subject, imparting a sense of awe or sanctity, while praising aims to recognize and encourage, focusing on positive reinforcement and acknowledgment.
How do religious contexts influence the use of glorify and praise?
In religious contexts, "glorify" is used to denote giving honor to a deity, involving a level of reverence and sanctity, whereas "praise" can be used more broadly, including for expressing admiration towards divine or mundane aspects.
Why is glorification often linked with heroism or virtue in cultural contexts?
Glorification in cultural contexts often ties to heroism or virtue because it serves to elevate individuals or deeds that embody the highest ideals of a society, creating enduring symbols of moral and valorous excellence.
Can praise be considered a form of glorification?
While praise can be part of glorification, it does not necessarily elevate the subject to a divine or exalted status, as glorification does.
Is there a risk of glorification in media representations?
There is a risk of glorification in media representations when individuals, actions, or ideologies are depicted in an excessively idealized manner, which can skew public perception and potentially glorify negative or harmful behaviors.
Can glorifying someone have negative implications?
Yes, glorifying someone can have negative implications if it leads to unrealistic expectations, idolization that overlooks flaws, or perpetuates myths that distort historical or personal realities, potentially hindering critical thinking.
How do social media platforms affect the dynamics of glorify and praise?
Social media platforms amplify the dynamics of glorify and praise by enabling widespread and rapid dissemination of both types of acknowledgment, often blurring the lines between genuine admiration and superficial commendation, and can contribute to the phenomenon of "celebrity culture" where individuals are glorified beyond their actual achievements or virtues.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
