hagiographical
/ˌhæɡiəˈɡræfɪkəl/
ADJECTIVE
1. Excessively flattering or idealizing
Describing someone or something in an excessively admiring, flattering, or uncritical manner, emphasizing positive qualities while overlooking faults or weaknesses.
1.1. Biographies and personal portrayals
Used to describe biographies, documentaries, or historical accounts that portray their subjects as exceptionally virtuous or admirable while minimizing their shortcomings.
Synonyms
- hagiographic
- adulatory
- laudatory
- eulogistic
- panegyrical
- encomiastic
- flattering
- fulsome
- idealizing
- glorifying
Antonyms
Examples
- The hagiographical account portrayed the political leader as a flawless hero.
- Historians criticized the documentary for its hagiographical treatment of the controversial figure.
- The author's hagiographical biography ignored several significant failures in the subject's career.
Related Words
- hagiography
- biography
- idealization
- idolization
- adulation
- glorification
- hero worship
- whitewashing
- panegyric
1.2. Excessive praise and admiration
Used to characterize language, expressions, or attitudes that demonstrate exaggerated admiration, devotion, or praise toward a person, institution, or achievement.
Synonyms
- gushing
- effusive
- lavish
- unctuous
- oleaginous
- soapy
- fulsome
- cloying
- extravagant
- fawning
- sycophantic
- ingratiating
- demonstrative
Antonyms
- sincere
- genuine
- earnest
- heartfelt
- unaffected
- artless
- unfeigned
- unpretentious
Examples
- The journalist questioned the hagiographical language used in the company's annual report.
- His hagiographical speech about the founder sounded more like flattery than an objective assessment.
- The article adopted a hagiographical tone when discussing the organization's achievements.
Related Words
ADJECTIVE
2. Relating to the lives of saints
Concerned with hagiography, the writing, study, or documentation of the lives, virtues, deeds, and spiritual experiences of saints and other revered religious figures.
2.1. Religious biographies and literature
Used to describe historical writings, religious biographies, and literary works documenting the lives and spiritual experiences of saints.
Synonyms
Examples
- The monastery preserved several important hagiographical manuscripts.
- The researcher specialized in hagiographical literature from the medieval period.
- These hagiographical accounts describe the miracles attributed to early Christian saints.
Related Words
- hagiography
- hagiographer
- hagiologist
- hagiology
- saint
- martyr
- canonization
- sanctity
- holiness
- religious literature