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.
Fellow wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of NFL players flooded the couple's Instagram comment section with congratulatory words and sweet sentiments. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 15 July 2025 Stanley intended to make the chocolates appear to be a congratulatory gift from a travel agency, according to the release. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2025 On cue, the three racers lunged for their congratulatory champagne, shook the bottles and doused each other in bubbly. William Liang, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025 Celebrating new births with lavish baskets and $1,500 congratulatory checks, Apple's perks back then were legendary. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 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 24 Jul. 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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