commend
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
- Antonyms:
- censure
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to entrust; give in charge; deliver with confidence.
I commend my child to your care.
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to cite or name with approval or special praise.
to commend a soldier for bravery.
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Feudal Law. to place (oneself or one's land) under another's protection so as to become his vassal.
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Archaic. to recommend (a person) to the kind remembrance of another.
verb
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to present or represent as being worthy of regard, confidence, kindness, etc; recommend
-
to give in charge; entrust
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to express a good opinion of; praise
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to give the regards of
commend me to your aunt
Related Words
See approve.
Other Word Forms
- commendable adjective
- commendableness noun
- commendably adverb
- commendatory adjective
- commender noun
- commendingly adverb
- overcommend verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of commend
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English commenden, from Latin commendāre, equivalent to com- com- + -mendāre, combining form of mandāre; mandate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Consequently, any attempt to commend the ascetic practices of one religion to the other is fruitless.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
“We commend the EPA for their commitment to reevaluating these policies.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
"We were 40-50 runs short. Must commend the guys in the bottom half for giving us a chance."
From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026
We believe that this is the labor secretary’s first appearance in the Surge, and, regrettably, it’s not to commend her on great achievements in the field of labor.
From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026
“I commend you to Horatio. He will be faithful and care for you,” she whispered.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
