congratulate

verb

kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
Definition of congratulatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 congratulate About a dozen people, including Thompson’s brother, gathered outside the courthouse after the trial to congratulate her. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 9 July 2026 Trump held calls with Zelenskyy and Putin over the weekend as both leaders congratulated the president on the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence. — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 8 July 2026 Everyone does so much great work, and for them to get acknowledged, and to be able to call them and congratulate everyone as well, is a lot of fun. — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026 Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother James were also waiting to congratulate her, posing for group photos at the scene. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
  1. commend
  2. cheer
  3. hug
  4. compliment
  5. praise
Verb
  • Clients as well as opposing counsel routinely commend her ability to quickly identify risk, to build strategies that align with client goals and objectives, and to efficiently seek resolution or streamline to trial, as needed.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 July 2026
  • Leeper says the authors should be commended for those precautions, but the possibility of contamination can’t be ruled out completely.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • The former pro boxer hyped him up as the audience cheered and, once on stage, performed a fake-out punch over Hernández’s head.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026
  • The chefs work as hard as the interior designers, rustling up impressive small plates that will cheer the spirits on winter days.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026
Definition of cheer
Verb
  • The boat ramp is the business address of Graham Platner’s oyster company, only a few minutes’ walk from his home in this town of 1,200 people that hugs the Maine coast.
    — Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 9 July 2026
  • By hugging your leg muscles and feet, the socks keep veins straight and narrow so that the valves can pump properly.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • All right, this is the patronizing version of complimenting the elderly.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Just hours before the ceremony, Jason and Travis released a new episode of their podcast, New Heights, featuring Prince William, who complimented Jason on raising his four daughters.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of compliment
Verb
  • Following Fuentes’ lead, other influencers on the far-right have also taken to questioning the Holocaust and filming videos praising Adolf Hitler, throwing Nazi salutes and singing along to antisemitic songs.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Bill Clinton, who was giving that day’s commencement address, praised El-Sayed in his own remarks.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of praise

Browse Nearby Words

conglomerative
congratulate
congratulated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulate. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congratulate

Nglish: Translation of congratulate for Spanish Speakers

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