congratulatory

adjective

con·​grat·​u·​la·​to·​ry kən-ˈgra-chə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce congratulatory (audio)
-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

Examples of congratulatory in a Sentence

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.
The president put the men’s team in another mess with his congratulatory, post-game phone call. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 The men’s team received a direct congratulatory call. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026 The next day, the men’s team accepted a congratulatory call from the president, who invited them to the White House for his State of the Union address, but not without taking a swipe at the women’s team. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has joined a chorus of congratulatory messages for the team behind coming of age-of-tale Boong for its BAFTA win in the Children and Family category on Sunday evening. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulatory

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of congratulatory was in 1523

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulatory. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

congratulatory

adjective
con·​grat·​u·​la·​to·​ry
kən-ˈgrach-(ə-)lə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
: expressing congratulations
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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