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.
The latter may not possess the same level of excitement and intrigue, but it has commendable aspects—from Theo’s gripping search to his struggle to accept his status as “a person, once complete, now halved.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
The tabulation — which can last weeks past election day — is the product, in large part, of a commendable objective: Encouraging as many people as possible to vote.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026
Instead, the fight the tourists showed early on Saturday was commendable.
From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025
Not that the PA is a thoroughly commendable organization.
From Slate • Sep. 3, 2025
Positive words and phrases included generously, public-spirited, wise, beneficial, commendable, carefully researched, useful, honorable, good.
From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements
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.
