mispraise means to praise falsely, injudiciously, or without good reason. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
Why “mispraise” is a great word
MISPRAISE — [Verb] To praise falsely, injudiciously, or without good reason. From Middle English, formed by combining the prefix mis- (expressing error or wrongness) with the verb praise. First attested c1330. Unlike "overpraise" (which implies an excess of sincere admiration) or "disparage" (which is a direct denigration), to mispraise is the precise art of blighting by apparent blessing. It is the fervent recommendation of a charlatan, the critic extolling a novel for all the wrong reasons, or the well-meant applause for a child's sloppy effort—a subtle sabotage, often mistaken for kindness, that turns golden words into leaden harm.
Etymology
From mis- + praise. Compare to French mépriser.
verb
- To praise falsely, injudiciously, or without good reason.“[T]hough I spend my nights, and dayes, and thoughts, and spirits, and words, and preaching, and writing, upon Princes, and Judges, and Magistrates . . . I have not paid a farthing of my debt to God; I have not praised him, but I have praised them, till not only my selfe, but even they, whom I have so mispraised, are the worse in the sight of God, for my over-praising.”
- To slander, blame, or disparage.“On hearing the Duke of Wellington mispraised he defends him, in a sonnet.”