Congratulate
v.joyful, kindwarm
What it means
To express pleasure and praise to someone for success, progress, or good news.
Reach for it when recognizing another person's welcome outcome directly
The coach called to congratulate every runner who completed the difficult course.
Choose between these
6- playful
a social ritual of good wishes suits the occasion
not when A toast may involve alcohol and is wrong for many settings.
- everyday
shared joy and recognition go beyond words
not when Celebrating can happen without addressing the person who succeeded.
- everyday
approval of conduct or quality is central
not when Praise does not require a success or good event.
- warm
a specific favorable remark is being offered
not when A compliment may concern taste or appearance rather than an achievement.
- professional
visible approval of an action or decision matters
not when Applaud can be figurative and need not convey personal good wishes.
- literary
ceremonial congratulations require a rare formal verb
not when Most readers will find felicitate archaic or unnatural.
Said against
3- criticize
- condemn
- commiserate
It naturally appears in
3- congratulate someone
Please congratulate someone by naming what their effort achieved.
- congratulate the winner
The finalists stayed to congratulate the winner after the count.
- quick to congratulate
She was quick to congratulate the rival team on its careful work.
Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, verb sense 1 opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.