congratulate
verb
con·grat·u·late
kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt 
-ˈgra-jə-
congratulated; congratulating
1
: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
graciously congratulated the winner
also
: to feel pleased with
congratulating herself for a job well done
2
archaic
: to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
Examples of congratulate in a Sentence
I'd like to congratulate you on your success.
She congratulated us on our test results.
She congratulated herself for getting the best grade in her class.
Recent Examples on the Web
The adults congratulated her, but their tone was somber.
—
Xavier Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
At one point, Ms. Bailey congratulated a man and a woman with a big diamond on her ring finger.
—Carson Griffith, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Beyoncé congratulated the University of South Carolina team on an incredible season by sending them a stunning bouquet of flowers, custom merch and a sweet note — all of which Coach Dawn Staley showed off in a triumphant video via X on Wednesday (April 17).
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024
The post received a wave of reactions in the comments, with multiple celebrities congratulating the couple.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Ne-Yo congratulated Renay on the feature, which caused a viral moment as some people saw it as shade.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Apr. 2024
There is no love lost between Schwarzenegger and Pratt, as the True Lies actor has previously congratulated his son-in-law on his films, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
The remaining 56 contestants were invited to the stage and congratulated by the judges — but the celebration was short-lived, when the judges revealed that the group will be cut down to 24 during tomorrow’s episode.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
Keatts went on to congratulate the Wolfpack Women's team who also secured a spot in the Final Four in their tournament.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Xavier Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
At one point, Ms. Bailey congratulated a man and a woman with a big diamond on her ring finger.
—Carson Griffith, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Beyoncé congratulated the University of South Carolina team on an incredible season by sending them a stunning bouquet of flowers, custom merch and a sweet note — all of which Coach Dawn Staley showed off in a triumphant video via X on Wednesday (April 17).
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024
The post received a wave of reactions in the comments, with multiple celebrities congratulating the couple.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Ne-Yo congratulated Renay on the feature, which caused a viral moment as some people saw it as shade.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Apr. 2024
There is no love lost between Schwarzenegger and Pratt, as the True Lies actor has previously congratulated his son-in-law on his films, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
The remaining 56 contestants were invited to the stage and congratulated by the judges — but the celebration was short-lived, when the judges revealed that the group will be cut down to 24 during tomorrow’s episode.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2024
Keatts went on to congratulate the Wolfpack Women's team who also secured a spot in the Final Four in their tournament.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'congratulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to congratulate
Dictionary Entries Near congratulate
Cite this Entry
“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
congratulate
verb
con·grat·u·late
kən-ˈgrach-ə-ˌlāt
congratulated; congratulating
: to express pleasure to on account of success or good fortune
congratulate the winner
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share