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Fulsome has overlapping meanings that are quite different in effect; when you use it, be sure that your surrounding context makes your intended meaning crystal clear. Fulsome is traditionally used to mean "effusive or fawning to the point of being offensive," as in a fulsome display of marital affection inappropriate in public and an interview laden with fulsome compliments for a notorious criminal. In the first example, you can substitute excessive and in the second you can substitute effusive or unctuous. The meaning "great in amount or intensity," from an original sense of fulsome that fell into disuse, has been revived. It has been used so much in recent years that it has all but obscured the other meaning. This usage most commonly occurs in fulsome praise and a fulsome apology, as in He is a true national hero, deserving of fulsome praise, where abundant would be a better, more precise choice. Instead of a fulsome apology, it is best to use a full apology, so that everyone will understand exactly what is meant.
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