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

Relevance

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 Buffett is known to personally congratulate the winners. Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026 That 8-2 aggregate defeat by Paris Saint-Germain should be a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment for those owners and executives who have spent the past few years congratulating themselves on a recruitment strategy that increasingly has the look of a social experiment. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026 Both Steph and his brother and teammate Seth Curry were there to congratulate their father in person. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026 Everyone congratulated her, from security guards to Uber drivers to waitresses. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
Verb
  • The town clerk was commended by the Broward state attorney for excellence for updating, electronically scanning and categorizing town files after much neglect.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Jackson should be commended for taking a thoughtful step to strengthen consumer trust and the future of recycling innovation.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • By the time the final seconds ticked off the clock, many Houston fans had cleared out and the Illinois supporters stood and cheered as their team celebrated.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The arena clapped and cheered for their new archbishop.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The couple hugged, burying their faces in each other’s shoulders.
    Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Bay Harbor consists of two islands hugging the Broad Causeway, which stretches just west of Bal Harbour to North Miami.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The daytime talk-show hosts complimented the appearance of guest Howie Mandel, who turned 70 in November.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Do compliment the costume and/or craftsmanship, not the character choice.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Chief of Police Christopher Cook praised the collaborative effort and said the case required extensive investigation, strong partnerships and quick work by the department's investigative team.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Quercus in Gay, Georgia, was awarded Best New Hotel Design 2026 by Tablet Hotels, praised for its distinctive blend of regenerative farming and 3,800 acres of forest and pasture.
    Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on congratulate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster