commendable
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- commendableness noun
- commendably adverb
- noncommendable adjective
- noncommendableness noun
- noncommendably adverb
- uncommendable adjective
- uncommendably adverb
Etymology
Origin of commendable
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Old French, from Latin commendābilis, equivalent to commendā(re) commend ( def. ) + -bilis -ble ( def. )
Explanation
If something's commendable it deserves whatever praise it receives. When you developed a car that could run on solar power, that was a commendable accomplishment. Now, it's time to move from Seattle. Coming from the verb "to commend," commendable can find its roots in the Latin commendāre, meaning "to praise." So, it only makes sense that someone who has done some commendable deed should get praise for it. American author James Branch Cabell once wrote: "While it is well enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction."
Vocabulary lists containing commendable
Thumbs Up: Synonyms for "Good"
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The Merchant of Venice
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The Phantom Tollbooth
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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.
While it's commendable for an artist to put music ahead of profit, it took Azalea another four years for release new music.
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026
The Dodgers’ efforts in helping former player Andrew Toles and his mental health condition are truly commendable.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026
His counsel is always opportune: “To live peacefully with those that are harsh and perverse, or disorderly, or such as oppose us, is a great grace, and highly commendable and manly.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
Not that the PA is a thoroughly commendable organization.
From Slate • Sep. 3, 2025
A streak of tolerance was detectable; Finny decided that they were beginning to show commendable signs of maturity.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
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.
