congratulate

1 of 2

verb

con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
-ˈgra-jə-
congratulated; congratulating
Synonyms of congratulatenext

transitive verb

1
: to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
graciously congratulated the winner
also : to feel pleased with
congratulating herself for a job well done
2
archaic : to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
3
obsolete : salute, greet
congratulator
kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
-ˈgra-jə-
noun

congratulator

2 of 2

noun

con·​grat·​u·​la·​tor kən-ˈgra-chə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce congratulator (audio)
-jə-
plural -s
: one that congratulates

Synonyms of congratulate

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of congratulate in a Sentence

Verb I'd like to congratulate you on your success. She congratulated us on our test results. She congratulated herself for getting the best grade in her class.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In a separate post, Kahn congratulated the couple of the hour. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026 After the film's premiere, Swift took to her Instagram to congratulate her good friend (and star of the movie) Reynolds. — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 4 July 2026 Fans posed for photos together, exchanged handshakes and congratulated one another before returning to the music that had filled the festival throughout the evening. — Latif Love july 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 As Ospreay walks away, Kenny Omega congratulates him on his performance at Forbidden Door. — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for congratulate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin congratulatus, past participle of congratulari to wish joy, from com- + gratulari to wish joy, from gratus pleasing — more at grace

First Known Use

Verb

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of congratulate was in 1539

Rhymes for congratulate

See All Rhymes for congratulate

Browse Nearby Words

congratulant
congratulate
congratulation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congratulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congratulate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

congratulate

verb
con·​grat·​u·​late kən-ˈgrach-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce congratulate (audio)
congratulated; congratulating
: to express pleasure to on account of success or good fortune
congratulate the winner
Etymology

Verb

from Latin congratulatus "has wished joy," derived from Latin con-, com- "with, together" and gratulari "to wish joy," from gratus "pleasing, agreeable, thankful" — related to grace, gratitude

More from Merriam-Webster on congratulate

Nglish: Translation of congratulate for Spanish Speakers

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