CELEBRATE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'celebrate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrate are commemorate , keep , and observe . While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity. // traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

Q: In what contexts can 'commemorate' take the place of 'celebrate'?

The synonyms commemorate and celebrate are sometimes interchangeable, but commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event. // commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

Q: When might 'keep' be a better fit than 'celebrate'?

The words keep and celebrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating. // kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

Q: When is 'observe' a more appropriate choice than 'celebrate'?

The words observe and celebrate can be used in similar contexts, but observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance. // not all holidays are observed nationally

celebrate

verb

ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt

Definition of celebrate

as in to praise

to proclaim the glory of a personal essay that celebrates the single life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to commemorate

to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word celebrate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of celebrate are commemorate, keep, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

In what contexts can commemorate take the place of celebrate?

The synonyms commemorate and celebrate are sometimes interchangeable, but commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

When might keep be a better fit than celebrate?

The words keep and celebrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

When is observe a more appropriate choice than celebrate?

The words observe and celebrate can be used in similar contexts, but observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

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 celebrate While it wasn’t held in the city of stars, plenty of stars came out to celebrate the 10th anniversary of La La Land. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 5 Sep. 2026 However, National Cheese Pizza Day takes it back to the basics and celebrates a culinary masterpiece. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Ten editions in, Venice Immersive has plenty to celebrate — just don’t expect the new-media showcase to spend much time looking back. — Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 To celebrate that legacy, Sportico has collected some of Steinem’s most pointed quotes on the topic. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celebrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for celebrate

Verb

The video of the confrontation has drawn more than 64,000 likes, with many commenters praising Opperman as a small-town hero.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Later, after clearing the Silo 1 control room, Victor both chastises Camille for her failures and grudgingly praises her for lying so convincingly that his biometric lie detectors couldn’t detect it.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Passports aren’t the only things being altered to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
The bourbon is meant to commemorate the September 2 birthday of Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown, who opened the distillery in 1870.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of commemorate

Verb

Charlotte is blessed with a bounty of bakeries stocking fresh cakes, cupcakes, croissants and other treats to soothe your sweet tooth.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
Not for nothing has White Barn Inn been blessed with just about every hospitality and dining award possible—from the endless applause of regional magazines and AAA five diamond ratings to a spot on Traveler's Gold List.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of bless

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celebrants

celebrate

celebrated

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“Celebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celebrate. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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