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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Recent Examples of congratulates
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulates
Verb
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Ogilvie commends Randhawa for his proactive approach to bringing back Old Sugar Mill.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Clayton commends Salley’s vulnerability and offers her a rose to stay on her season.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The lesson from that high school bench was not just about discipline and discernment, but also about choosing the long game, even when the crowd cheers for immediate rewards.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This is one of the worst of them, with Alec Baldwin bravely fighting to bring Medgar Evers’s assassin to justice while Whoopi Goldberg cheers him on and cries.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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They’re made with the brand’s signature four-way stretch fabric that hugs your body with a comfortable yet snug fit.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
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If the system hugs the coast, a nor'easter will bring snow to coastal areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sandy praises every crew member for their growth, commitment, and performance.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cassidy praises Sturm Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy coached in the B’s organization for 15 years, the last six-plus as head coach in Boston.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In that case, the enthusiasm with which one applauds may be emphatically lessened.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
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His desire to lower rates is something the White House surely applauds.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lead Bartender Breann Anzar has created an impressive cocktail program that compliments Chef Lindsey’s exquisite menu.—
David Duran,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
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The trick is to choose a nude shade that compliments your skin tone and apply a top coat so glossy and reflective your nails almost appear see-through.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congratulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulates. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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