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 Ryan Reynolds, known for playing the mouthy mercenary in the Deadpool franchise, took to social media to congratulate The Odyssey and pass the torch. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 An emotional moment was then shown between the three of them, as well as players coming up to congratulate him afterwards. — Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Early in the evening, when the outcome became obvious, Manley called Wasserman Schultz to congratulate her on her win, both said. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 In the comments, a few of Howey’s Ginny & Georgia costars congratulated her on the newest addition to her family. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
  1. commend
  2. cheer
  3. hug
  4. compliment
  5. praise
Verb
  • Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue posted on Facebook commending the work of volunteers who banded together to care for the dogs.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Once, Myers celebrated a Knicks win from one side of the prison wall while Hood cheered from the other.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Just not as much as the callous bosses who created this indefensible, toxic situation and the fanatics who once cheered it.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheer
Verb
  • Shelley Strommen, one of the activists who has spearheaded the effort, hugged Gorman.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As the end approached, families moved out, one at a time, hugging and saying goodbyes to each other outside their dorms.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • 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
  • As for freshman running backs Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne, Denbrock complimented the four-star prospects’ potential while also throwing cold water on expectations for them this early in their careers.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliment
Verb
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Head coach Willie Simmons praised his team’s athleticism and talent through fall camp, while emphasizing the X’s and O’s with the season opener approaching.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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