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

On Election Day on May 26, as results were coming in, Burrows posted to social media congratulating Paxton on his win — 30 minutes before the Associated Press called the race for Paxton. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 June 2026

While many congratulated the ACM Entertainer of the Year winner, others criticized the hunt and questioned the ethics of killing a grizzly bear. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

Kayla Thornton #5 of the Golden State Valkyries is congratulated by Veronica Burton #22 after Thornton made a three-point shot against the Portland Fire in the second half during a WNBA Commissioner's Cup game at Chase Center on June 2, 2026 in San Francisco. —CBS News, 3 June 2026

Rivas said their relationship dates back to Rivas’ election to the Assembly in 2018; Becerra, then attorney general, was the only constitutional officer to call him to congratulate him, and continued to consult his opinion on legislation. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

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