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

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for congratulates

Verb

The report commends changes including protecting wetlands, improving stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, and expanding water quality monitoring, including notification programs that warn people about unsafe conditions in rivers and streams.

— Joe Brandt, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of commends

Verb

Share a draft with a friend who cheers you on, and notice how confidence grows.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
Former University of Florida Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow cheers with fans during the Florida Legends Experience at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheers

Verb

The editorial praises the Shedd for trying to save the whales in this time of crisis, even though the animals had a record of previous poor living conditions and dubious care.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Sandy praises her crew for performing efficiently under pressure, and gives out the $1,807 each of them earned from a $23,500 tip.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of praises

Verb

Valdes applauds her patient’s athletic lifestyle and said several large studies back the benefits of finding a physical and social activity when dealing with cancer.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Even so, Wilson applauds Hamilton for making classical studies popular and accessible through her vigorous writing style and skill as a storyteller.

— David Conrads, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

congratulated

congratulates

congratulating

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Congratulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congratulates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of congratulates

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes