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

Examples of congratulatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All of the uncles and aunties flooded Flo Milli’s IG comment section, with congratulatory messages from Latto, Halle Bailey, GloRilla, Rubi Rose and more. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2025

Her comment section flooded with congratulatory messages, including replies from peers like Latto, Tia Corine, Reginae Carter, Anycia, and fellow moms Kalii and Halle Bailey. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Trump’s election victory in November was met with a wave of congratulatory messages from CEOs, particularly within the technology industry . —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025

The pro athlete received a ton of congratulatory messages across her social media platforms. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing congratulatory

• self-congratulatory

Rhymes for congratulatory

• adjudicatory
• anticipatory
• articulatory
• classificatory
• conciliatory
• discriminatory
• ejaculatory
• emancipatory
• hallucinatory
• interlaboratory
• interrogatory
• investigatory

Kids Definition

congratulatory

adjective

con·​grat·​u·​la·​to·​ry

kən-ˈgrach-(ə-)lə-ˌtōr-ē,

-ˌtȯr-

: expressing congratulations