as in commends
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congratulates
But then the public address announcer congratulates Charlisse Leger-Walker for her four All-Pac-12 honors and her conference title with Washington State (which came at UCLA’s expense), and the whole ceremony starts to make less sense.
—
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The rep excuses herself; in the hallway, Stephen congratulates Lucy.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
On the communication system that reaches everyone, Krispel congratulates cast and crew on a good show, reminds them that curtain is at 7 tomorrow, asks them to drive safely.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
At the tip meeting, Sandy congratulates the interior team and, in so many gentle words, tells the deck team to do better.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes congratulates players after a first half scoring drive against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field on September 6, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
In a TikTok video posted by the Chiefs Thursday night, Kelce congratulates Wagner backstage.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
The rep excuses herself; in the hallway, Stephen congratulates Lucy.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 17 Feb. 2026
On the communication system that reaches everyone, Krispel congratulates cast and crew on a good show, reminds them that curtain is at 7 tomorrow, asks them to drive safely.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
At the tip meeting, Sandy congratulates the interior team and, in so many gentle words, tells the deck team to do better.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes congratulates players after a first half scoring drive against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens at Folsom Field on September 6, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
In a TikTok video posted by the Chiefs Thursday night, Kelce congratulates Wagner backstage.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulates
Verb
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The report commends the steps that Mayor Mike Johnston and the city have taken to reduce homelessness and bolster tourism downtown.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
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Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ten years later, while their daughter cheers from a distance at Oregon State, the couple remain loyal to the Bruins and are a staple of Section 103 at Pauley Pavilion as season-ticket holders.—
Tribune News Service,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
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Ten years later, while their daughter cheers from a distance at Oregon State, the couple remain loyal to the Bruins and are a staple of Section 103 at Pauley Pavilion as season-ticket holders.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In the pictures, Sarah wore an ash gray cardigan, her thick brunette hair shoulder-length; Elena, in a flowery dress, hugs her mom in one photo.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sosie praises her brother, whose acting experience has mostly been limited to shorts, for his willingness to accept notes — and there were plenty.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Jessica Lynne praises Missy Elliott’s sonic world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Industry applauds the moves as long overdue.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
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International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry applauds as silver medallist Heidi Weng of Norway, gold medallist Ebba Andersson of Sweden and bronze medallist Nadja Kaelin of Switzerland celebrate on the podium for the women's cross country 50km mass start final.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Palkhiwala compliments me on my watch, which only does one thing.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
At times the president either compliments the serial killer or compares Lecter’s time in an asylum to that of immigrants seeking asylum — though the constant references to Hannibal the Cannibal might fall into comparison given the president’s own rather carnivorous-leaning diet.—
Costa Beavin Pappas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congratulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulates. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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