congratulatory
adjective
con·grat·u·la·to·ry
kən-ˈgra-chə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 
-ˈgra-jə-
: expressing or conveying congratulations
a congratulatory message
As the magnitude of our discovery began to sink in, I thought to myself, "I think I know how we're going to be spending the next 20 years." I turned to shake hands and receive congratulatory hugs from our ecstatic workmen.—
Kent R. Weeks
see also self-congratulatory
Kent R. Weeks
Examples of congratulatory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The room exuded an air of distinction, accompanied by a congratulatory spirit that was emitted warmly throughout the venue.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Sep. 2023
Kim attended the parade with his daughter, who is believed to be called Kim Ju Ae, and received congratulatory letters from China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to KCNA.
—Gawon Bae, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
While there are plenty of congratulatory messages going around, one category is causing a stir on social media because of a high-profile omission.
—Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 7 Sep. 2023
Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry's Relationship Timeline Many celebrity friends of the couple, who began dating in 2013, added congratulatory messages in the comments section of the post.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
Karina Trivedi walked away from the third annual Civic Pitch Night Wednesday with $1,000 as seed money for a summer youth internship and volunteer program for middle and high school students, and with congratulatory hugs from her sisters.
—Deena Lawley-Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023
During our conversation, Nattiv is receiving congratulatory texts and messages from around the world.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 25 Aug. 2023
Fans, former teammates, and NHL peers offered plenty of congratulatory messages and praise for the 2011 Stanley Cup champion.
—Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023
Famous people were coming to watch her play, including former President Barack Obama, who was among those sending congratulatory wishes Saturday.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
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Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Sep. 2023
Kim attended the parade with his daughter, who is believed to be called Kim Ju Ae, and received congratulatory letters from China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, according to KCNA.
—Gawon Bae, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023
While there are plenty of congratulatory messages going around, one category is causing a stir on social media because of a high-profile omission.
—Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 7 Sep. 2023
Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry's Relationship Timeline Many celebrity friends of the couple, who began dating in 2013, added congratulatory messages in the comments section of the post.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
Karina Trivedi walked away from the third annual Civic Pitch Night Wednesday with $1,000 as seed money for a summer youth internship and volunteer program for middle and high school students, and with congratulatory hugs from her sisters.
—Deena Lawley-Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023
During our conversation, Nattiv is receiving congratulatory texts and messages from around the world.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 25 Aug. 2023
Fans, former teammates, and NHL peers offered plenty of congratulatory messages and praise for the 2011 Stanley Cup champion.
—Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023
Famous people were coming to watch her play, including former President Barack Obama, who was among those sending congratulatory wishes Saturday.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'congratulatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing congratulatory
Dictionary Entries Near congratulatory
Cite this Entry
“Congratulatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulatory. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
congratulatory
adjective
con·grat·u·la·to·ry
kən-ˈgrach-(ə-)lə-ˌtōr-ē,
-ˌtȯr-
: expressing congratulations
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