Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Worthy of high praise or approval: Describes something that deserves recognition, admiration, or positive acknowledgment due to its merit, quality, or effort.
   • Deserving commendation: Refers to actions, qualities, or efforts that are laudable and should be formally or informally praised.

2. Adverb (less common, often formal):

   • In an admirable or praiseworthy manner: Describes how an action is performed to a degree that deserves commendation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Her dedication to volunteer work is truly commendable.
  • The team made a commendable effort to finish the project on time.
  • It was a commendable act of bravery to rescue the child from the fire.

• Adverb:

  • She performed commendably under immense pressure.
  • The students behaved commendably during the difficult evacuation drill.

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal recognition: Often appears in official reports, award citations, or formal letters of recommendation.

  • The committee noted the commendable initiative shown by the department head.

• Used to express qualified praise: Can sometimes imply that the praise is given even if the outcome wasn't perfect, highlighting the effort or intention.

  • Although they didn't win, their sportsmanship was commendable.

Variants and Related Words

• Commend (verb): To praise formally or officially; to present as worthy of notice, favor, or approval.
  • The mayor commended the firefighters for their service.
• Commendation (noun): Formal or official praise; an award or honor given for merit.
  • He received a letter of commendation from his employer.

Synonyms

• Praiseworthy: Deserving approval and admiration.
• Laudable: Deserving praise and commendation.
• Admirable: Arousing or deserving respect and approval.
• Applaudable: Worthy of applause or praise.
• Meritorious: Deserving reward or praise.

Antonyms

• Blameworthy: Deserving blame or censure.
• Deplorable: Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad.
• Reprehensible: Deserving censure or condemnation.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A commendable attempt: An effort that, while perhaps not fully successful, is worthy of praise for the endeavor.
  • It was a commendable attempt to solve the complex equation, even if the answer was incorrect.
• To be highly commendable: An emphatic phrase stressing that something is especially worthy of praise.
  • Your honesty in this situation is highly commendable.

Adjective

1. worthy of high praise
   • applaudable efforts to save the environment
   • a commendable sense of purpose
   • laudable motives of improving housing conditions
   • a significant and praiseworthy increase in computer intelligence

Adverb

1. in an admirable manner
   • the children's responses were admirably normal