congratulate

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
-ˈgra-jə-
congratulated; congratulating
Synonyms of congratulatenext

transitive verb

1
: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
graciously congratulated the winner
also : to feel pleased with
congratulating herself for a job well done
2
archaic : to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
3
obsolete : salute, greet
congratulator
kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
-ˈgra-jə-
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of congratulate in a Sentence

I'd like to congratulate you on your success. She congratulated us on our test results. She congratulated herself for getting the best grade in her class.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, meanwhile, congratulated the U.S. president-elect. —Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 The episode ends with Melissa returning to school the next day with crutches and a cast, and Lisa congratulates Gregory on diffusing Darnell’s act of aggression. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024 The Republican Party of Kentucky wasted no time congratulating Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. —Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024 Garvey, addressing his supporters in Rancho Mirage, congratulated Schiff on the win. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for congratulate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari to wish joy, from com- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing — more at grace

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of congratulate was in 1539

Dictionary Entries Near congratulate

congratulant

congratulate

congratulation

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

congratulate

verb
con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgrach-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
congratulated; congratulating
: to express pleasure to on account of success or good fortune
congratulate the winner
Etymology

from Latin congratulatus "has wished joy," derived from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and gratulari "to wish joy," from gratus "pleasing, agreeable, thankful" — related to grace, gratitude

More from Merriam-Webster on congratulate

Nglish: Translation of congratulate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of congratulate for Arabic Speakers

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