congratulate

American  

[kuhn-grach-uh-leyt, -graj-, kuhng-] / kənˈgrætʃ əˌleɪt, -ˈgrædʒ-, kəŋ- /

verb (used with object)

congratulated, congratulating

1. to express pleasure to (a person), as on a happy occasion.

   They congratulated him on his marriage.

2. Archaic. to express sympathetic joy or satisfaction at (an event).

3. Obsolete. to salute.

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congratulate British  

/ kənˈɡrætjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (usually foll by on) to communicate pleasure, approval, or praise to (a person or persons); compliment

2. (often foll by on) to consider (oneself) clever or fortunate (as a result of)

   she congratulated herself on her tact

3. obsolete to greet

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Other Word Forms

• congratulation noun
• congratulator noun
• congratulatory adjective
• precongratulate verb (used with object)
• uncongratulated adjective
• uncongratulating adjective

Etymology

Origin of congratulate

1540–50; < Latin congrātulātus, past participle of congrātulārī. See congratulant, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

When asked if she would congratulate Venezuela’s María Corina Machado on winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the Mexican president sternly replied: “No comment.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Musk congratulated the xAI team and thanked investors “for your faith in our company” in a post on X Tuesday afternoon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander congratulated the recipients and said the annual list was "packed with local heroes".

From BBC

Nunez congratulated the different police services involved in tracking down the suspect.

From Barron's

Fellow celebrities congratulated the couple in the comments on the Instagram post, with bandmate Kimberley Walsh saying it was the "best news ever".

From BBC

Related Words

• applaud
• laud
• praise
• salute