Antonyms for pat the back
| Grammar : Noun, verb |
| Spell : pat |
| Phonetic Transcription : pæt |
- abhor
- anger
- annoy
- antagonize
- be humble
- be modest
- be quiet
- beratement
- blame
- block
- cash
- castigate
- castigation
- cease
- censure
- complain
- complaint
- conceal
- condemn
- condemnation
- confuse
- contend
- criticism
- criticize
- dampen
- debase
- debasement
- decrease
- deject
- denounce
- denunciation
- deny
- deprecate
- depress
- depression
- despise
- deter
- detest
- disacknowledgement
- disagree
- disallow
- disapproval
- disapprove
- disbelief
- disclaimer
- discourage
- discouragement
- discredit
- disfavor
- dishearten
- dishonor
- dislike
- dispirit
- displease
- disregard
- disrespect
- dissuade
- distrust
- doubt
- forget
- halt
- hate
- hatred
- hide
- hinder
- humiliate
- humiliation
- hurt
- ignorance
- ignore
- ill repute
- impede
- injure
- insult
- jeering
- keep
- libel
- lowliness
- neglect
- obstruct
- oppose
- opposition
- prevent
- protest
- rebuke
- reduction
- refusal
- refuse
- reject
- rejection
- repel
- reprimand
- shame
- silence
- slander
- stop
- thwart
- trouble
- undermine
- unhappiness
- unimportance
- uninspire
- upset
- use competition
- veto
- vituperation
- weaken
- worry
- worsen
Definition of pat the back
Origin :- c.1400, "a blow, stroke," perhaps originally imitative of the sound of patting. Meaning "light tap with hand" is from c.1804. Sense of "that which is formed by patting" (as in pat of butter) is 1754, probably from the verb. Pat on the back in the figurative sense attested by 1804.
- As in approval : noun good opinion
- As in kudos : noun praise, acclaim
- As in praise : noun congratulations; adoration
- As in acclaim : noun expression of approval
- As in brownie points : noun mark of merit
- As in pat on the back : noun expression of approval
- As in laudation : noun praise
- As in magnification : noun praise
- As in commendation : noun giving of praise; acclaim
- As in compliment : noun praise, flattery
- As in credit : noun recognition; trust
- As in laud : verb acclaim, praise
- As in patronize : verb condescend
- As in : verb congratulate oneself
- As in brag : verb talk boastingly
- As in commend : verb recommend, praise
- As in compliment : verb praise, flatter
- As in encourage : verb give support; help
Synonyms for pat the back
- abet
- acclaim
- acclamation
- accolade
- accredit
- acknowledgment
- admiration
- admire
- adore
- adulate
- adulation
- advance
- advocate
- aid
- applaud
- applause
- appreciation
- approbation
- approval
- approve
- assist
- attention
- award
- back
- back up
- be gracious to
- be lofty
- be overbearing
- befriend
- belief
- big hand
- bless
- blessing
- blow one's own horn
- bluster
- boast
- bolster
- boost
- bouquet
- brace
- brag
- bravo
- brownie points
- build
- build up
- butter up
- buttering up
- cajole
- cajolery
- celebrate
- celebration
- charm
- cheer
- cheering
- citation
- clapping
- comfort
- commemorate
- commend
- commendation
- comp
- compliment
- confidence
- confirmation
- congrats
- congratulate
- congratulations
- console
- countenance
- courtesy
- credence
- credibility
- credit
- crow
- cry
- cry up
- deign
- develop
- devotion
- distinction
- ease
- egg on
- eminence
- encomium
- encouragement
- endorse
- endorsement
- enlargement
- esteem
- eulogize
- eulogizing
- eulogy
- exaggeration
- exalt
- exaltation
- extol
- extolment
- exult
- faith
- fame
- favor
- fawn upon
- felicitate
- felicitation
- flatter
- flattery
- fortify
- forward
- foster
- further
- gasconade
- get behind
- give a leg up
- give a posy
- give bouquet
- gloat
- glorification
- glorify
- glory
- go for
- gold star
- good opinion
- good word
- grandstand
- hail
- hand it to
- hats off to
- hear it for
- homage
- honor
- hotdog
- hug oneself
- hurrah
- hymn
- illustriousness
- improve
- indulge
- ingratiate oneself with
- instigate
- invite
- jive
- kudize
- kudo
- kudos
- laud
- laudation
- laurels
- liking
- look down on
- magnify
- make much of
- merit
- mouth
- notability
- notice
- obeisance
- orchid
- ovation
- overstatement
- panegyric
- panegyrize
- pat on the back
- pat on the head
- pat oneself on the back
- pay
- pay respects
- pay tribute to
- plaudit
- plaudits
- please
- plum
- points
- posy
- PR
- praise
- prate
- preeminence
- prestige
- prevail
- prominence
- promote
- puff
- puff up
- pull for
- pumping up
- push
- rave
- raves
- reassure
- recognition
- recommend
- recommendation
- regard
- reinforce
- reliance
- relieve
- renown
- repute
- respect
- respects
- revere
- reverence
- rodomontade
- roose
- root for
- salute
- sanction
- satisfy
- second
- sentiment
- serve
- shot in the arm
- showboat
- shuck
- side with
- sing praises of
- sing the praises of
- smile upon
- snub
- solace
- soothe
- speak highly of
- spur
- stoop
- strengthen
- stroke
- strokes
- stroking
- subscribe to
- subsidize
- succor
- support
- sustain
- swagger
- sycophancy
- take off hat to
- talk down to
- thanks
- toast
- toot one's own horn
- toss a few crumbs
- trade last
- treat as inferior
- treat badly
- treat like a child
- tribute
- uphold
- vaunt
- venerate
- veneration
- warm fuzzy
- wish joy to
- word of praise
- worship
- wow
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019