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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 congratulating After the ceremony, Parton wrote Eminem a heartfelt note, congratulating him on the accomplishment and his performance. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 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 But instead of congratulating their long-time colleague, her co-workers, under the orders of their department head, urged her to think again. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 The rest of the league is playing poker, while Dunleavy is sitting in the corner playing Solitaire and congratulating himself on not losing any cards. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 Taylor, who also challenged McCrory in 2024, also issued a conciliatory statement on Tuesday congratulating Khan on her election victory. — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026 Carr issued a statement congratulating Thumann Severs but did not express any wish for a five-member commission. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulating
  1. cheering
  2. commending
  3. hugging
  4. praising
  5. complimenting
  6. applauding
Verb
  • From his home Turner could hear cheering from the team’s matches at the nearby Stamford Bridge stadium.
    — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Continue reading … OPINION LIZ PEEK – China is cheering as the left blocks America’s AI infrastructure.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheering
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 meteorologist’s followers are commending her for her environmentally friendly practice.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of commending
Verb
  • 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
  • Lively included photos of herself embracing Reynolds, as well as a picture where she could be seen hugging one of her daughters.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hugging
Verb
  • While praising Green’s composure, accuracy, consistency and feel, Westlake coach Rick Clausen also singled out the offensive line.
    — Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Yiannopoulos also continued to have his eye on national politics, working on the 2024 presidential campaign of Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, who fell from grace after praising Adolf Hitler and making a series of antisemitic comments.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of praising
Verb
  • Determining which colors look best on a person, complimenting an individual’s complexion and skin color, is at the center of Yan’s new color analysis business.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Kirsch said this year’s tight ends have stepped up without a senior presence, complimenting redshirt juniors Ka’Morreun Pimpton and Lafayette Kaiuway.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of complimenting
Verb
  • Chelsea supporters at Craven Cottage responded by applauding Fernandez and singing his name.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Local officials posed around the giant baby blue ceremonial check, applauding as the mayor positioned it on an easel in view of the television cameras.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of applauding

Browse Nearby Words

congratulates
congratulating
congratulations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All