congratulating

verb

present participle of congratulate
as in cheering
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 congratulating The text is a reference to the song’s lyrics, which see Bad Bunny congratulating and thanking his parents for giving birth to him. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 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 The company congratulating itself on near-free production has, in many cases, simply handed the durable margin to whoever owns the scarce input. — François Candelon, Fortune, 24 July 2026 The news station later reported on the incident, with Menitoff’s colleagues congratulating her on her ability to stay cool. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026 The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC for Senate Republicans, released a statement congratulating Nordone’s nomination. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026 Tommy Hilfiger teased it with an Instagram post on Wednesday congratulating Kelce on his wedding last week to Taylor Swift. — Lisa Gutierrez july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026 Madix received calls from her friends, her family, and her boyfriend, Daniel Wai, congratulating her on her Emmy nomination. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 July 2026 All day, people are coming up to him, congratulating him on his son’s success. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulating
  1. cheering
  2. commending
  3. hugging
  4. praising
  5. complimenting
  6. applauding
Verb
  • Right in the middle of cheering, reveling masses was MARTA — a connective system of veins that efficiently moved the happy throngs.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Stefanski did as an 8-year-old in Philadelphia, playing for the Conestoga Generals and cheering for Buddy Ryan’s Eagles.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of cheering
Verb
  • Reactions to Graves’ retirement Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke at the Thursday press conference, commending Graves for her leadership.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The meteorologist’s followers are commending her for her environmentally friendly practice.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of commending
Verb
  • The restaurant posted a photo on Instagram of the 80-year-old actor hugging family member Zurella Lancarte.
    — Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • Was that a deliberate message in terms of not hugging or saying goodbye to the icons or the Kamu, Chuk, Haley trio?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
Definition of hugging
Verb
  • The 2016 Indy 500 winner conducted the maiden validation test, praising the car's exceptional build quality and predictable, rewarding handling.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Since separating, the two have remained amicable co-parents, often praising one another in interviews.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Definition of praising
Verb
  • Anderson agreed, complimenting the abilities of the aircraft.
    — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
  • All right, this is the patronizing version of complimenting the elderly.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of complimenting
Verb
  • Before guests began eating dinner, Weijia Jiang, president of the White House Correspondents' Association delivered an impassioned speech condemning political violence and applauding attendants bravery after the shooting at the April event.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • Paul appeared to take the joke in stride, laughing and applauding as cameras cut to him in the crowd.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of applauding

Browse Nearby Words

congratulates
congratulating
congratulations
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Cite this Entry

“Congratulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulating. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congratulating

Nglish: Translation of congratulating for Spanish Speakers

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