as in commends
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 congratulates
As Ospreay walks away, Kenny Omega congratulates him on his performance at Forbidden Door.
—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
This logic would not have barred any of the Jim Crow voting devices that the Roberts Court frequently congratulates itself and the nation for overcoming.
—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Trump congratulates the Swanson family.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 May 2026
Don congratulates the rest of the team and continues to work, while Kate, Bailey and Erin celebrate with drinks together.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Occasionally, bottles of water and loaves of bread are distributed, and Lydia congratulates herself for having the discipline to make her slice last.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
But then the public address announcer congratulates Charlisse Leger-Walker for her four All-Pac-12 honors and her conference title with Washington State (which came at UCLA’s expense), and the whole ceremony starts to make less sense.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
On the communication system that reaches everyone, Krispel congratulates cast and crew on a good show, reminds them that curtain is at 7 tomorrow, asks them to drive safely.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
4 Dec. 2025
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
This logic would not have barred any of the Jim Crow voting devices that the Roberts Court frequently congratulates itself and the nation for overcoming.
—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Trump congratulates the Swanson family.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 May 2026
Don congratulates the rest of the team and continues to work, while Kate, Bailey and Erin celebrate with drinks together.
—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Occasionally, bottles of water and loaves of bread are distributed, and Lydia congratulates herself for having the discipline to make her slice last.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.
—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
But then the public address announcer congratulates Charlisse Leger-Walker for her four All-Pac-12 honors and her conference title with Washington State (which came at UCLA’s expense), and the whole ceremony starts to make less sense.
—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
On the communication system that reaches everyone, Krispel congratulates cast and crew on a good show, reminds them that curtain is at 7 tomorrow, asks them to drive safely.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulates
Verb
-
Miss Manners commends it as better than the usual aggressive-aggressive behavior — and more effective.
-
Pat O'Donnell, executive director of SAG-AFTRA's Washington-Mid Atlantic Local, which represents hundreds of NPR journalists, commends the network's approach to making job cuts.
Verb
-
Kyle Mulholland, the bartender, rings the bar’s bell, and the lights flicker as everyone cheers again and goes to close out their tabs.
-
In the video, shared on Kennedy's personal X account Tuesday, the health secretary is seen wrangling the snakes with his bare hands, holding the creatures up to the camera as his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, cheers him on in the background.
Verb
-
Costco opted to open a gas station only in a shopping center that hugs the 5 freeway at Oso Parkway.
-
Over the weekend, the alternate route, which hugs the Omani coast, was expanded to accommodate both inbound and outbound traffic.
Verb
-
Chef Rodrigo Rivera-Río praises Cometa for its contemporary Mexican cuisine that honors traditional roots, recommending the lechón al ataúd.
-
Under this light, Penelope emerges as exemplary, cunning, wounded, and trapped by the male order that praises her.
Verb
-
Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher, center left, applauds for John Mellencamp during the 27th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Celebrating Bill Maher.
-
Iran defying obstacles at the World Cup Iran’s Hossein Kanani applauds fans after a 0-0 draw against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Verb
-
Each brings something different to the table and compliments the other by filling in for the other's weaknesses.
-
The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
Cite this Entry
“Congratulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulates. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
