commend

[ kuh-mend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to present, mention, or praise as worthy of confidence, notice, kindness, etc.; recommend:

   to commend a friend to another;

   to commend an applicant for employment.

   Synonyms: extol, laud, acclaim

   Antonyms: censure

2. to entrust; give in charge; deliver with confidence:

   I commend my child to your care.

   Synonyms: convey, relegate, consign, commit

3. to cite or name with approval or special praise:

   to commend a soldier for bravery.

4. Feudal Law. to place (oneself or one's land) under another's protection so as to become his vassal.
5. Archaic. to recommend (a person) to the kind remembrance of another.

commend

/ kəˈmɛnd /

verb

1. to present or represent as being worthy of regard, confidence, kindness, etc; recommend
2. to give in charge; entrust
3. to express a good opinion of; praise
4. to give the regards of

   commend me to your aunt

Derived Forms

• comˈmendatory, adjective
• comˈmendableness, noun
• comˈmendable, adjective
• comˈmendably, adverb

Other Words From

• com·mend·a·ble adjective
• com·mend·er noun
• com·mend·ing·ly adverb
• o·ver·com·mend verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of commend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English commenden, from Latin commendāre, equivalent to com- com- + -mendāre, combining form of mandāre; mandate

Word History and Origins

Origin of commend¹

C14: from Latin commendāre to commit to someone's care, from com- (intensive) + mandāre to entrust

Synonym Study

See approve.

Example Sentences

The officer, Eugene Goodman, had already been commended for leading rioters away from the Senate chamber as it was being evacuated, an act of heroism documented on a reporter’s cellphone and widely circulated.

From Washington Post

On the eve of Republic Day, president Ram Nath Kovind also commended the economy for recovering quickly after lockdown restrictions were lifted in phases.

From Quartz

Whether it stems from opportunism or sheer ambition, the Blue Jays should be commended for extending themselves to give their fans a title contender in 2021 and well into the future.

From Washington Post

Still, author Kyl Myers should be commended for not throwing in the towel with hurricane force.

From Washington Blade

I definitely commend all the girls, all of us, for stepping up and standing up, even though there could have been consequences.

From Washington Post

Still, there is plenty to commend about Cotton, and he is a formidable candidate.

From The Daily Beast

Sadly, their families are typically the only ones left to commend, since most of the awardees are dead.

From The Daily Beast

I commend her for standing by her friend and going on record as a character witness.

From The Daily Beast

The want Dr. St. James to remain in the classroom, and commend Millikin for standing by him.

From The Daily Beast

I commend him for doing so, and for the immense amount of good he has done in that role.

From The Daily Beast

Speaking as a Russian and also as one who has travelled all over the world, I say, commend me to England for comfort.

From Project Gutenberg

They neither approve nor disapprove, commend or condemn, till they have consulted his looks and his countenance.

From Project Gutenberg

Cycling does not appear to commend itself greatly to the Spanish idea of recreation.

From Project Gutenberg

That is a philanthropic wrinkle for chapel keepers and other compounders of business and piety which we commend to special notice.

From Project Gutenberg

We must also commend Harris for supplying a consistent and relatively believable motivation for the main action.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• applaud
• approve
• compliment
• endorse
• extol
• hail
• laud