Recommend

To present someone or something as a sound choice for a purpose.

Reach for it when offering a considered endorsement or practical course of action

I recommend the quieter route because it remains open in wet weather.

• everyday

  suggest

  when the option is tentative or lightly offered

  not when Suggest carries less confidence and may not amount to an endorsement.

• professional

  advise

  when guidance is directed to someone's decision

  not when Advise centers the recipient and can sound authoritative even without praising one option.

• professional

  nominate

  when formally putting a person forward for selection

  not when Nomination starts a process but does not always express confidence in suitability.

• formal

  commend

  when praise is offered alongside approval

  not when Commend can mean applaud rather than propose a choice.

• formal

  endorse

  when public approval or support is the important act

  not when Endorse is stronger and more official than ordinary practical advice.

• discourage
• oppose
• condemn

• highly recommend

  I highly recommend checking the tide table before taking the shore path.

• recommend a candidate

  The panel will recommend a candidate after observing the practical exercise.

• recommend against

  Engineers recommend against reopening the bridge until the bearings are inspected.