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
Against a backdrop of war in the Middle East and Ukraine, the King will commend the unifying force of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
“I commend President Trump for taking decisive action and pray for our brave men and women throughout the region working to keep us all safe,” Valadao wrote.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 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
Miss Palma did commend me on my “rhetorical flair,” though.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
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.
