Synonyms of celebrate

celebrate

verb

ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt 

1

as in to praise

to proclaim the glory of

a personal essay that celebrates the single life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• praise
• bless
• extol
• salute
• hymn
• extoll
• laud
• worship
• applaud
• exalt
• cheer
• resound
• glorify
• magnify
• commend
• carol
• emblazon
• compliment
• chant
• eulogize
• idolize
• hail
• acclaim
• adore
• cite
• belaud
• deify
• renown
• recommend
• rhapsodize
• flatter
• tout
• crack up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blame
• criticize
• censure
• reprehend
• reprobate
• admonish
• reprove
• chide
• rebuke
• reproach
• reprimand
• castigate
• lambaste
• lambast
• keelhaul

2

as in to commemorate

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony

a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commemorate
• bless
• keep
• observe
• remember
• honor
• solemnize
• praise
• sanctify
• consecrate
• laud
• memorialize
• fete
• fête

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• break
• violate
• forget
• ignore
• overlook
• disregard
• transgress
• neglect
• blow off

Synonym Chooser

How is the word celebrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrate are commemorate, keep, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

In what contexts can commemorate take the place of celebrate?

The synonyms commemorate and celebrate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When might keep be a better fit than celebrate?

The words keep and celebrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

When is observe a more appropriate choice than celebrate?

The words observe and celebrate can be used in similar contexts, but observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of celebrate

International Chocolate Day is coming up on September 13, but Krispy Kreme is generous enough to give us the whole weekend to celebrate. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025

Next Sunday, community members will celebrate his life with a memorial service at the event venue that was once Mandujano’s auto shop. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

To celebrate, a special white 12-inch vinyl was recently released. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The popular girl group was on the Pandora pink carpet on Monday night in New York to celebrate the brand’s new Talisman collection, one day after making their VMA debut and taking home the Push Performance award. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025