congratulate

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
-ˈgra-jə-
congratulated; congratulating

transitive verb

1
: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
graciously congratulated the winner
also : to feel pleased with
congratulating herself for a job well done
2
archaic : to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
3
obsolete : salute, greet
congratulator noun

Examples of congratulate in a Sentence

I'd like to congratulate you on your success. She congratulated us on our test results. She congratulated herself for getting the best grade in her class.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That ethical dodge — congratulating modern progress, ignoring this era’s nervous breakdown — is the basic, political, insensitive reason that contemporary Hollywood cannot create love stories. Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025 Celebrities and fellow golfers congratulated him after his big win. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 After Styles' marathon in Japan, David congratulated him on his achievement. Marina Watts, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The company received a boost when Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead NASA and a commercial astronaut himself, publicly congratulated Monday’s mission. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for congratulate

Word History

Etymology

Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari to wish joy, from com- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing — more at grace

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of congratulate was in 1539

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Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

congratulate

verb
con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgrach-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
congratulated; congratulating
: to express pleasure to on account of success or good fortune
congratulate the winner
Etymology

from Latin congratulatus "has wished joy," derived from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and gratulari "to wish joy," from gratus "pleasing, agreeable, thankful" — related to grace, gratitude

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