CONGRATULATING Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

congratulating

verb

present participle of congratulate

as in cheering

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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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 congratulating One week after his aunt Yolanda died under the rubble of her apartment building, Alejandro Marquina discovered an Instagram message from her, congratulating him on a recent work accomplishment. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026 Notably, in a tweet congratulating Jensen on the deal, Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora echoed the importance of balancing open source and open weights with frontier LLMs. — CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 Melvin and Dreyer took turns congratulating and embracing Ikeda shortly after the news broke. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Djokovic sent a message congratulating Federer on his inevitable induction. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The pair are now supportive co-parents, with Fergie, 51, congratulating her ex and Mari on the arrival of their daughter in May. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Jolly, who’s been campaigning against divisiveness in politics, issued a statement congratulating Avila shortly after Tuesday’s announcement. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 The unusual ceremony quickly drew reactions online, with many commenters praising the crew on their thoughtfulness and congratulating the newlyweds on their happy occasion. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Shortly after the verdict was announced, Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell issued a statement congratulating her prosecutors and the investigators who worked on bringing the case to trial. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulating

Verb

The audience got on their feet cheering them on, including her daughter Everly, 13, partner Steve Kazee and bestie Emmanuelle Chriqui.

— Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Higgins also had some familiar faces cheering her on in the ballroom.

— Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheering

Verb

In comments commending the two honorees, Caucus organizer Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean for leadership studies, noted that Pelosi and Pence are laudable regardless of one’s politics.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026
Following the post Lola's Facebook post are comments commending the restaurant for helping the workers and community.

— Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of commending

Verb

While attending the grand opening of the Skims flagship store in London, Kardashian turned heads in a figure-hugging corset dress, complete with a waist-high leg slit.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
The cut looks put together without hugging your legs as closely as skinny styles, giving you a little more room to move.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of hugging

Verb

In praising Chatfield, Brown recalled a gathering at his home last year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
The night before, Adria Petty, Tom’s daughter, offered the transition from the performance to the award segment, praising everyone involved for an unforgettable moment on the long tail her father left behind.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of praising

Verb

Trump has a long history of complaining about Fox to Murdoch — while also coveting its support and complimenting its pro-Trump stars.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Truly, no one is more willing than a Harrie to snap 25 photos of you outside the venue (plus retakes, if necessary) before effusively complimenting your hair glitter.

— Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of complimenting

Verb

Billboard also has an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Jung Kook posing for the campaign, showing off his silky dance moves and applauding at the end of a successful shoot.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026
Delegates could be heard applauding inside the board room as the resolution was adopted ending the investigation after almost two decades.

— Stephanie Liechtenstein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of applauding

Browse Nearby Words

congratulates

congratulating

congratulations

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“Congratulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulating. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of congratulating

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