Praise for leaders of liberalism abolished under democrats (4)
I believe the answer is:
laud
'praise' is the definition.
(lauding is a kind of praising)
'leaders of liberalism abolished under democrats' is the wordplay.
'leaders of' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'liberalism abolished under democrats' is 'LAUD'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for laud that I've seen before include "Praiseworthy" , "homage" , "Praise highly" , "Praise formally" , "Praise acclaim" .)