To extol someone is to:

To extol someone means to praise them highly or to exalt them. This term conveys a strong sense of admiration and approval for a person's qualities, achievements, or actions. When someone is extolled, they are celebrated for their positive attributes or accomplishments, often in a public or enthusiastic manner.

Using this understanding, it's evident that extolling contrasts sharply with any notion of criticism or mockery, as the act focuses solely on highlighting and elevating someone's virtues or successes. This is why the interpretation of extoling as a form of high praise is the accurate choice among the provided options.