Praise vs. Thanksgiving — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
Praise involves expressing admiration or approval, focusing on qualities or achievements, whereas thanksgiving is about expressing gratitude for benefits received.
Difference Between Praise and Thanksgiving
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Praise is an expression of approval, admiration, or commendation, often directed towards someone's abilities, qualities, or achievements. It's about acknowledging and appreciating the inherent value or excellence in someone or something. On the other hand, thanksgiving centers around expressing gratitude and appreciation for benefits received, whether they are acts of kindness, gifts, or any form of help. It is more about the acknowledgment of what has been given or done for you rather than the inherent qualities of the giver.
While praise can be given for a wide range of reasons, from someone's talent or intelligence to their moral character, thanksgiving is specifically tied to the receipt of some form of benefit. For instance, one might praise an artist for their skill and creativity, admiring the quality of their work, while expressing thanksgiving would involve gratitude towards the artist for gifting a piece of art or for the joy their art has brought.
Praise often serves to uplift and encourage, reinforcing positive behaviors or qualities, and can be seen as a form of social reinforcement. Thanksgiving, however, is an expression of personal gratitude that acknowledges a sense of indebtedness or appreciation for what has been received, fostering a sense of goodwill and connection between individuals.
The act of praise can be directed towards both the qualities of a person and their actions, whereas thanksgiving is almost exclusively related to actions or deeds that have had a direct positive impact on the person expressing gratitude. This distinction highlights the different focuses of each expression: one on the inherent value and the other on the beneficial outcome.
Both praise and thanksgiving play important roles in human interactions, contributing to positive social bonds and emotional well-being. Praise can motivate and inspire individuals to maintain or enhance their performance or behavior, while thanksgiving strengthens relationships by acknowledging and valuing the contributions of others to our lives.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Focus
Qualities, abilities, achievements
Benefits received, acts of kindness
Purpose
Express admiration or approval
Express gratitude for something received
Recipients
Can be directed at anyone or anything
Directed at someone who has provided a benefit
Emotional Response
Often elicits feelings of pride and motivation
Fosters feelings of gratitude and connection
Social Function
Encourages and reinforces desired qualities or actions
Strengthens bonds by acknowledging contributions
Compare with Definitions
Praise
Expression of admiration.
The teacher's praise for her student's creativity boosted his confidence immensely.
Thanksgiving
Expression of gratitude.
He offered his thanksgiving for the support during tough times.
Praise
Can be about inherent qualities.
Her praise for the novelist's wit and intelligence was heartfelt.
Thanksgiving
Strengthens relationships.
Thanksgiving for her friend's unwavering loyalty deepened their bond.
Praise
Encourages positive behavior.
Praise from his coach for his teamwork made him even more committed.
Thanksgiving
Related to benefits received.
Their thanksgiving for the generous donation was expressed in a heartfelt letter.
Praise
Motivates improvement.
The pianist's praise after the recital motivated the young musician to practice even harder.
Thanksgiving
Fosters a sense of indebtedness.
The family's thanksgiving for the anonymous help they received was endless.
Praise
Can be general or specific.
The chef received high praise for the innovative menu.
Thanksgiving
Acknowledges impact of actions.
The community's thanksgiving for the firefighters' bravery was profound.
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).
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.
Praise
Express warm approval or admiration of
We can't praise Chris enough—he did a brilliant job
Thanksgiving
An act of giving thanks; an expression of gratitude, especially to God
A hymn of thanksgiving.
Praise
Express one's respect and gratitude towards (a deity), especially in song
We praise God for past blessings
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day.
Praise
The expression of approval or admiration for someone or something
The audience was full of praise for the whole production
Thanksgiving
An expression of gratitude.
Praise
The expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship
Give praise to God
Thanksgiving
A short prayer said at meals; grace, a benediction.
Praise
Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
Thanksgiving
A public celebration in acknowledgement of divine favour.
Praise
The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.
Thanksgiving
The act of rending thanks, or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies.
Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
In the thanksgiving before meat.
And taught by thee the Church prolongsHer hymns of high thanksgiving still.
Praise
(Archaic) A reason for praise; merit.
Thanksgiving
A public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness; also, a day set apart for religious services, specially to acknowledge the goodness of God, either in any remarkable deliverance from calamities or danger, or in the ordinary dispensation of his bounties.
Praise
To express warm approval of, commendation for, or admiration for.
Thanksgiving
Fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
Praise
To express a feeling of veneration or gratitude to (a deity); worship or glorify.
Thanksgiving
A short prayer of thanks before a meal
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
Praise
Worship.
Praise of God
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
How does thanksgiving affect relationships?
Expressing thanksgiving can significantly strengthen relationships by acknowledging and appreciating the contributions and kindness of others.
Is praise always positive?
While praise is intended to be positive, its reception can vary depending on the context and the recipient's perception.
Is it possible to overdo praise?
Excessive or insincere praise can diminish its value and may have the opposite effect, potentially demotivating or leading to complacency.
Can thanksgiving be expressed to inanimate objects or concepts?
Typically, thanksgiving is directed towards people who have provided a benefit, though it can be expressed for things or situations that have led to positive outcomes.
Can praise and thanksgiving be expressed together?
Yes, one can express both praise and thanksgiving together, admiring someone's qualities or actions while also expressing gratitude for the impact those have had.
What is the essence of praise?
Praise is fundamentally about expressing approval, admiration, or commendation for someone's qualities, achievements, or actions.
What distinguishes thanksgiving from praise?
Thanksgiving is specifically about expressing gratitude for benefits or kindness received, whereas praise can be about qualities, achievements, or actions irrespective of a direct benefit.
What role does intention play in praise and thanksgiving?
The intention behind praise and thanksgiving is crucial; sincere expressions are more likely to have the desired positive effects.
Can animals understand praise?
Animals, particularly pets like dogs and cats, can recognize praise as positive reinforcement through tone of voice and body language.
How is thanksgiving shown in different cultures?
Thanksgiving is expressed in diverse ways across cultures, often involving rituals, celebrations, or specific gestures of gratitude.
Why is it important to be specific in praise and thanksgiving?
Specificity in praise and thanksgiving can make the expressions more meaningful and impactful, as it shows genuine recognition and appreciation.
Can thanksgiving be a form of praise?
While thanksgiving can include elements of praise, especially when acknowledging the actions leading to the benefit, its core is gratitude.
How does societal context influence expressions of praise and thanksgiving?
Cultural norms and societal values significantly shape how, when, and to whom praise and thanksgiving are expressed, influencing their perceived sincerity and impact.
Is there a psychological benefit to expressing thanksgiving?
Expressing thanksgiving can enhance one's own well-being by fostering positive emotions and a greater sense of life satisfaction.
How does praise affect children's development?
Appropriate praise can boost children's self-esteem, motivate them to learn, and reinforce positive behaviors.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Urine vs. Filtrate
Next Comparison
Disinfect vs. SterilizeAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-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.
