Praiseworthy
adj.kind, thoughtfulformal
What it means
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.
Choose between these
8- everyday
when value or deservingness can be stated simply
not when Worthy needs an object or context and is less explicitly approving.
- warm
when a quality invites personal respect
not when Admiration can attach to talent or courage without a moral judgment.
- warm
when integrity or moral duty makes the act worthy
not when Excellent craft or generous effort may involve no ethical issue.
- professional
when formal approval of an action or effort is intended
not when It can sound restrained when heartfelt admiration is the goal.
- professional
when conduct should serve as a model for others
not when Not every praiseworthy act is broad or repeatable enough to be exemplary.
- formal
creditable
when performance deserves recognition under difficult conditions
not when It often means respectable rather than truly outstanding.
- formal
when an aim or action deserves elevated public praise
not when The word is stiff for a personal card and can sound ironic.
- formal
when achievement meets an official standard for distinction
not when The bureaucratic tone can drain warmth from ordinary praise.
Said against
3- blameworthy
- disgraceful
- reprehensible
It naturally appears in
3- 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.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective sense: worthy of praise 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.