congratulate

verb

kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
Definition of congratulatenext
as in to commend
to express to (someone) admiration for his or her success or good fortune let me be the first to congratulate you on winning the award

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of congratulate In February 2024, Rudd was seen congratulating Kelce on the field after the Chiefs won 25-22 against the San Francisco 49ers at the Super Bowl. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 After the film's premiere, Swift took to her Instagram to congratulate her good friend (and star of the movie) Reynolds. — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 4 July 2026 On Tuesday, the State Department congratulated the younger Fujimori. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 All participating children receive certificates, congratulating them on participation or meeting those goals. — Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
  1. commend
  2. cheer
  3. hug
  4. compliment
  5. praise
Verb
  • Both kinds of patriotism have historical precedents to commend them.
    — Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • Instead of splashing photos of their designer gowns all over social media for fans to commend or criticize, the four brides have taken a beat.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Rather than merely sign the bill and move on, Newsom on Wednesday cheered it.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Then Trout had an exceptionally rare experience, a visiting player cheered at the home of the boo.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of cheer
Verb
  • The boat ramp is the business address of Graham Platner’s oyster company, only a few minutes’ walk from his home in this town of 1,200 people that hugs the Maine coast.
    — Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 9 July 2026
  • By hugging your leg muscles and feet, the socks keep veins straight and narrow so that the valves can pump properly.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • All right, this is the patronizing version of complimenting the elderly.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Just hours before the ceremony, Jason and Travis released a new episode of their podcast, New Heights, featuring Prince William, who complimented Jason on raising his four daughters.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of compliment
Verb
  • Following Fuentes’ lead, other influencers on the far-right have also taken to questioning the Holocaust and filming videos praising Adolf Hitler, throwing Nazi salutes and singing along to antisemitic songs.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Bill Clinton, who was giving that day’s commencement address, praised El-Sayed in his own remarks.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of praise

Browse Nearby Words

conglomerative
congratulate
congratulated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congratulate

Nglish: Translation of congratulate for Spanish Speakers

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