Deserving explicit approval because an action or quality meets a meaningful standard.
Reach for it when commending conduct or effort, especially when the reason should be named
Her decision to correct the public record quickly was praiseworthy.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
everyday
Fits when value or deservingness can be stated simply
Careful Worthy needs an object or context and is less explicitly approving.
warm
Fits when a quality invites personal respect
Careful Admiration can attach to talent or courage without a moral judgment.
warm
Fits when integrity or moral duty makes the act worthy
Careful Excellent craft or generous effort may involve no ethical issue.
professional
Fits when formal approval of an action or effort is intended
Careful It can sound restrained when heartfelt admiration is the goal.
professional
Fits when conduct should serve as a model for others
Careful Not every praiseworthy act is broad or repeatable enough to be exemplary.
formal
creditable
Fits when performance deserves recognition under difficult conditions
Careful It often means respectable rather than truly outstanding.
formal
Fits when an aim or action deserves elevated public praise
Careful The word is stiff for a personal card and can sound ironic.
formal
Fits when achievement meets an official standard for distinction
Careful The bureaucratic tone can drain warmth from ordinary praise.
praiseworthy effort
The volunteers made a praiseworthy effort to include every household.
especially praiseworthy
Her willingness to share credit was especially praiseworthy.
praiseworthy conduct
Returning the lost wallet quietly was praiseworthy conduct.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Steve Shives, Mid-Atlantic US accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated
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