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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Recent Examples of congratulating
In a recent Oprah Daily Instagram post congratulating The Oprah Podcast’s recent Webby Award nomination, the media mogul wore a professional-looking two-piece outfit, complete with wide-leg beige pants with gold accents and a matching button-down shirt.
—
Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Isaacman closed by congratulating the crew and the entire NASA team, along with the agency's international and commercial partners.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a proud UCLA alum, recorded a video congratulating the team on its title win from one champion to another.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Please join me in congratulating Allie on her new endeavor.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
In District 17, Eleanor Sweet McDonnell sent a statement conceding the race to Joe Salvi, congratulating the young Republican who, according to unofficial results received, just under 1,600 votes.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Acquaintances then sent him emails, congratulating him for being named Yogi of the Month.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 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
Along with Thursday's rally, the Bay Area is also celebrating Liu's Olympic success with a billboard congratulating her, according to San Francisco ABC station KGO-TV.
—Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Isaacman closed by congratulating the crew and the entire NASA team, along with the agency's international and commercial partners.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a proud UCLA alum, recorded a video congratulating the team on its title win from one champion to another.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Please join me in congratulating Allie on her new endeavor.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
In District 17, Eleanor Sweet McDonnell sent a statement conceding the race to Joe Salvi, congratulating the young Republican who, according to unofficial results received, just under 1,600 votes.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Acquaintances then sent him emails, congratulating him for being named Yogi of the Month.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 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
Along with Thursday's rally, the Bay Area is also celebrating Liu's Olympic success with a billboard congratulating her, according to San Francisco ABC station KGO-TV.
—Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulating
Verb
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During an open practice Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium, thousands of Illini fans showed up in orange to watch, while large groups of kids on field trips sat in the end zone, cheering.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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However, no one will be cheering louder than the athletes' parents.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the hearing, Gorman’s family released a statement commending the judge for detaining Medina.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Bhattacharya has visited the Atlanta campus, sent emails commending the CDC staff and thanking them for their work, and extended telework accommodations in his first weeks on the job.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Photos originally published by the New York Post’s Page Six showed the coach and journalist holding hands, hugging and sitting in a pool in bathing suits at a resort bungalow in Sedona, Arizona.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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But that big gap in the middle—and the fact that many ships are hugging the northern shoreline—shows that captains were not eager to test the open-sea route without Tehran's approval.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In some cases, parents may even unintentionally reinforce the behavior by praising physical changes without understanding how they were achieved.—
Grace Baek,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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The rapper previously shared rhetoric widely deemed as antisemitic on social media, used a 2025 Super Bowl ad to redirect viewers to a website selling a $20 swastika T-shirt, and dropped a song praising Adolf Hitler.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite the intensity on the court, Staley and Auriemma have typically exchanged public pleasantries, complimenting each others' successes and importance to the women's game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
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After a few photos are snapped, Muse can be seen complimenting Taylor on her scent.—
Rebecca Norris,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Others praised troopers for stepping in to help, applauding authorities for rescuing the vulnerable cub and ensuring it was placed in proper care.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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At 0-2, Nimmo had started applauding and offering loud encouragement from the Rangers dugout.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Congratulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulating. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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