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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congratulate
Gail Slater, a former assistant attorney general who led the US Justice Department’s antitrust division from March 2025 to February 2026, congratulated states on the win.
—
Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026
Board member Ann Maine congratulated Aitchison after the meeting.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
After the game, the Kraken did as many teams have, lining up to shake Kopitar’s hand and congratulate him on his 20-season NHL career.
—Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
In a news release on Boise State’s website Tuesday, the State Board of Education thanked Shinn for his work and congratulated him on his new appointment.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2026
Board member Ann Maine congratulated Aitchison after the meeting.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
After the game, the Kraken did as many teams have, lining up to shake Kopitar’s hand and congratulate him on his 20-season NHL career.
—Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
In a news release on Boise State’s website Tuesday, the State Board of Education thanked Shinn for his work and congratulated him on his new appointment.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
Verb
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Despite how difficult sitting through the case was, the jurors commended Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez for her fairness — and lead prosecutor Abbe Rifkin for fighting so hard for Quatisha.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
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At a news conference after the hearing, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney apologized to the families of the victims and commended the authorities who ultimately caught Heuermann.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Drivers heading back to their villages along coastal highways cheered each other, flashed victory signs and exchanged blessings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Johnson waved to the cheering spectators who lined her eight-vehicle motorcade route from a railway station.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The crowd of 19,698 and all his teammates wanted to hug him.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Apr. 2026
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Penton walked out herself and hugged two women who’d attended the proceedings.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But putting all that effort toward something that’s not real weighs on him, and Isaac’s taut encapsulation of misery compliments a series that feeds on tension.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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As a final touch, Blanchett wore rosy blush and glossy pink lipstick, and switched up the texture of her bob with some soft, beachy waves that beautifully complimented the venue's vernal theme.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The response was praised by Republican politicians, who widely denounced the content of the chats, which was filled with slurs for Black, Jewish and gay people and included graphic calls for violence against Black people.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
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Cornice headboards are trending again, praised for a classic, layered look.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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