CONGRATULATES Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

congratulates

verb

present tense third-person singular of congratulate

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

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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulates

Verb

Maynard also commends the company for its presentation of the result, in light of AI’s tendency to copy humans’ mathematical results and present them as its own ideas.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 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 commends

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.

— Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 4 June 2026
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.

— Mason Leib, ABC News, 27 May 2026

Definition of cheers

Verb

The Forks National Historic Site, a nine-acre park filled with public art, hugs the river behind the market.

— Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
As the name suggests, they are characterized mainly by their slightly slim fit, which hugs the legs to create a cigarette-like silhouette.

— Renata Joffre, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of hugs

Verb

Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Both, along with the rest of Iraola’s staff, wasted no time trying to implement the Spaniard’s vision, helped by the clear and concise messaging Murillo praises the head coach for.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of praises

Verb

Earlier this week, former GOP Senator Jeff Flake, of Arizona, endorsed Ossoff saying despite their policy differences, Flake applauds Ossoff's character and his commitment to doing the job.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Jasmin Camacho, an evolutionary biologist at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, applauds the python work as another way of looking in unexpected places for potential drugs and cures.

— Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 July 2026

Definition of applauds

Verb

Each brings something different to the table and compliments the other by filling in for the other's weaknesses.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
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.

— Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of compliments

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congratulated

congratulates

congratulating

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“Congratulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulates. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of congratulates

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