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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of congratulate
Before executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham could end his draft-night phone call congratulating Swain, the rookie couldn’t keep himself from taking a dig at his new boss’s alma mater.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
In a clip shared on social media, a beaming Kolek could be seen trotting alongside the parade barricade, where scores of fans enthusiastically extended their hands to high-five the point guard and congratulate him.
—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Trump and family members were in attendance and entered the fighting ring to congratulate the champion as fireworks burst overhead at the end.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
In a clip shared on social media, a beaming Kolek could be seen trotting alongside the parade barricade, where scores of fans enthusiastically extended their hands to high-five the point guard and congratulate him.
—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Trump and family members were in attendance and entered the fighting ring to congratulate the champion as fireworks burst overhead at the end.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
Verb
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Miss Manners commends it as better than the usual aggressive-aggressive behavior — and more effective.
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Donning a loud orange and curly wig, Tel commended KC for its hospitality as a host city.
Verb
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Swift stepped into public wearing the ring for the first time, cheering at an Arrowhead Stadium game with Kelce's alma mater.
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Dozens of people sat in lawn chairs in front of the big screen, cheering as the Bosnia and Herzegovina national anthem played, while others stood in a long line that stretched out of the front door to buy cakes, pastries and pitas.
Verb
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Videos from these gatherings showing chanting crowds beneath concert lights, audience members crying, hugging strangers and dancing barefoot have racked up millions of views online.
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On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk.
Verb
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To compliment the sights, NASA also produced new sonifications—a method to transform astronomical information into often ethereal soundscapes.
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Each brings something different to the table and compliments the other by filling in for the other's weaknesses.
Verb
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Leaders from India’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have publicly praised bhajan clubbing gatherings.
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Magazine, praising Swift's ability to handle intense public scrutiny.
Cite this Entry
“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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