congratulate

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
-ˈgra-jə-
congratulated; congratulating

transitive verb

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)
3
obsolete : salute, greet
congratulator noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During Monday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, host Jimmy Kimmel congratulated Rogen on the wins. Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025 And so many kids have come by all week long… to give me a hug or a high five and just congratulate me. Ilana Arougheti updated October 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025 Several fans flooded the comments section of McGraw's anniversary tribute to congratulate the country lovebirds and gush over the couple's longevity. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025 Bringing Up Bates star Carlin Bates, who recently welcomed her third baby, a daughter named Navy Kate, also congratulated the couple in the comments. Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for congratulate

Word History

Etymology

Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari to wish joy, from com- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing — more at grace

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of congratulate was in 1539

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulate. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

congratulate

verb
con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgrach-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
congratulated; congratulating
: to express pleasure to on account of success or good fortune
congratulate the winner
Etymology

from Latin congratulatus "has wished joy," derived from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and gratulari "to wish joy," from gratus "pleasing, agreeable, thankful" — related to grace, gratitude

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