Synonyms of congratulate

congratulate

verb

kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt 

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

• commend
• cheer
• hug
• compliment
• praise
• applaud
• salute
• felicitate
• hail
• extol
• laud
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimize
• disparage
• diminish
• decry
• belittle
• write off
• discount
• put down
• deprecate
• depreciate
• bad-mouth
• tease
• ridicule
• mock
• cry down
• taunt
• jeer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of congratulate

Walter put a take-it-or-leave-it bid on the table so high — hundreds of millions above where the other bidders had been in the process — that former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt called off the auction and congratulated Walter. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

The rest of the league is playing poker, while Dunleavy is sitting in the corner playing Solitaire and congratulating himself on not losing any cards. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Taylor, who also challenged McCrory in 2024, also issued a conciliatory statement on Tuesday congratulating Khan on her election victory. — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026

Carr issued a statement congratulating Thumann Severs but did not express any wish for a five-member commission. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026