congratulate

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt 

-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

kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər 

-ˈgra-jə-

noun

Synonyms of congratulate

• commend
• cheer
• hug
• compliment
• praise

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

Backstage, moments after Irwin and his partner, Witney Carson, took the title of Dancing with the Stars season 34 champs, the Avengers actress was there to congratulate him. —Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

While she is viewed as a potential foil to Mamdani, Menin did congratulate him on his victory earlier in November. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Tisch continuing 'stellar work' Adams, whose administration had high turnover of police commissioners, released a statement after the announcement congratulating Tisch. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025

Word of DeAngelo’s arrest in the case was explosive, with worldwide news coverage and law enforcement officials gathering outside the Sacramento DA’s Crime Lab to congratulate each other on the hard work that led to the break in the case. —Sam Stanton, Sacbee.com, 18 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for congratulate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids 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

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