laudable

adjective

laud·​able ˈlȯ-də-bəl 

: worthy of praise : commendable

She has shown a laudable devotion to her children.

laudableness

ˈlȯ-də-bəl-nəs 

noun

laudably

ˈlȯ-də-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

Let’s have a hearty round of applause for laudable, a word that never fails to celebrate the positive. Laudable comes ultimately from Latin laud- or laus, meaning "praise," as does laudatory. However, the two differ in meaning, and usage commentators warn against using them interchangeably. Laudable means "deserving praise" or "praiseworthy," as in "laudable efforts to help the disadvantaged." Laudatory means "giving praise" or "expressing praise," as in "a laudatory book review." People occasionally use laudatory in place of laudable, but this use is not considered standard.

Synonyms

• meritorious
• worthy
• admirable
• commendable
• excellent
• praiseworthy
• impressive

Examples of laudable in a Sentence

Improving the schools is a laudable goal.

you showed laudable restraint in dealing with that ridiculously demanding customer

Recent Examples on the Web

Moreover, its promise to invest $100 billion in Arizona is laudable. —Jane Swift, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025

Perhaps laudable recognition such as this can help lift its stature on the international stage. —Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

The place has it all: Excellent food with layers of flavor and a truly laudable mission centered on teaching job skills and life skills to rehab graduates working their way back into the community. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025

Even with the laudable goal of renewable energy generation, energy sprawl is a real thing. —Kip Kolesinskas, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for laudable

• audible
• inaudible

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Kids Definition

laudable

adjective

laud·​able ˈlȯd-ə-bəl 

: praiseworthy

laudableness

-nəs 

noun

laudably

ˈlȯd-ə-blē 

adverb