Crossword Genius

Praise enthusiastically without getting much back? Not quite (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extol

'praise enthusiastically' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'without getting much back? not quite' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'without' could be 'ex' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'ex' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

(Other definitions for extol that I've seen before include "Speak highly" , "Lavishly praise" , "Highly rate" , "Applaud" , "Say great things about" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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