Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

celebrate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of celebrate

1 to proclaim the glory of
  • a personal essay that celebrates the single life
Synonyms of celebrate

bless, carol, emblazon, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, praise, resound
Words Related to celebrate

adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship

acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, renown, salute

chant, cheer, eulogize, rhapsodize
Near Antonyms of celebrate

blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate

criticize, reprove

admonish, chide, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reproach

castigate, lambaste (or lambast)
2 to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony
  • a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays
Synonyms of celebrate

commemorate, keep, observe
Words Related to celebrate

bless, consecrate, sanctify, solemnize

fete (or fête), honor, laud, praise

memorialize, remember
Near Antonyms of celebrate

blow off, disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook
Antonyms of celebrate

break, transgress, violate

Synonym Discussion of celebrate

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed. keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.
    • kept the Sabbath by refraining from work
observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.
    • not all holidays are observed nationally
celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.
    • traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner
commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.
    • commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

Learn More about celebrate

  1. See words that rhyme with celebrate Dictionary: Definition of celebrate Spanish Central: Translation of celebrate Nglish: Translation of celebrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of celebrate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up celebrate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games