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 Kaye congratulated the client and a wave of applause filled the courtroom. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 As Kelce walked, fans attending the Chiefs’ open practice called out for his attention, with some congratulating him on his recent nuptials. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 Jerry O’Connell is revealing which Star Trek alum was first to congratulate him on his role on Lower Decks. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 French President Emmanuel Macron personally called Wang to congratulate her on her win. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulate
  1. commend
  2. cheer
  3. hug
  4. compliment
  5. praise
Verb
  • Stern and his team commended how Pastore acted in his final scene on the show.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In all, the review from animal welfare consulting firm Team Shelter USA commends the department’s medical and surgical care, low euthanasia rates, foster program and enrichment facilities for animals at the Carlsbad shelter.
    — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • No doubt, many progressives, who are looking forward to the DSA seizing power, will cheer her boldness, but the rest of us should be scared to death.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of NAB, cheered the news Thursday morning.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheer
Verb
  • Students streamed out of the Debsirin Nonthaburi School, on the capital's northwestern outskirts, as the wounded were loaded on to ambulances and teachers hugged each other and cried.
    — Chalinee Thirasupa, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The couple didn’t shy away from PDA and were photographed kissing, hugging and laughing.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Avalos complimented his players’ ability to embrace hard work and not run away from it throughout the offseason.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
  • During an interview with SensaCine México posted on Friday, July 24, the couple shared a little PDA after being complimented on their professional careers together.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of compliment
Verb
  • Their videos work as a modern take on the narcocorridos – ballads about the trafficking underworld that drug kingpins used to praise themselves and communicate with each other, said security expert Alexei Chévez.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The state Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday also praised samgyetang, a chicken soup stuffed with ginseng, glutinous rice and jujubes, reporting that Pyongyang restaurants were attracting customers seeking relief from the heat.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congratulate

Nglish: Translation of congratulate for Spanish Speakers

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