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.
Puig, the team’s most influential player, immediately posted a congratulatory message after the club made Vanney’s extension official. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 May 2025 After watching an episode of the Netflix comedy, which wrapped its final season earlier this year, Jones sent an innocuous congratulatory message to Simon. Nathan Vinson, People.com, 17 May 2025 Duterte’s old Facebook account was flooded with congratulatory messages from supporters, with some calling for his return to serve his people. Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2025 The school known as the ‘wildcats’ posted a congratulatory statement after the announcement. Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025 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 28 May. 2025.

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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