commend
Americanverb (used with object)
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commends,
present (3rd person singular)
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commended,
past participle, past
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commending
present participle
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to present, mention, or praise as worthy of confidence, notice, kindness, etc.; recommend.
to commend a friend to another;
to commend an applicant for employment.
- Antonyms:
- censure
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to entrust; give in charge; deliver with confidence.
I commend my child to your care.
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to cite or name with approval or special praise.
to commend a soldier for bravery.
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Feudal Law. to place (oneself or one's land) under another's protection so as to become his vassal.
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Archaic. to recommend (a person) to the kind remembrance of another.
verb
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to present or represent as being worthy of regard, confidence, kindness, etc; recommend
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to give in charge; entrust
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to express a good opinion of; praise
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to give the regards of
commend me to your aunt
Synonym Usage
See approve.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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commendablenessnoun
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commendernoun
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overcommendverb (used with object)
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commendableadjective
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commendatoryadjective
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commendablyadverb
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commendinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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commendsimple
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commendssimple
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have commendedperfect
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has commendedperfect
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am commendingprogressive
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are commendingprogressive
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is commendingprogressive
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have been commendingperfect progressive
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has been commendingperfect progressive
Past
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commendedsimple
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had commendedperfect
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was commendingprogressive
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were commendingprogressive
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had been commendingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of commend
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English commenden, from Latin commendāre, equivalent to com- com- + -mendāre, combining form of mandāre; see mandate
Explanation
Have you ever shouted "Bravo!" at the end of a play or cooed "Good boy!" to the dog when he followed a command? Then you know how to commend someone — in other words, to express approval aloud. The most common meaning of commend is "to compliment." You commend someone when you tell them "Well done!" You can even say "I commend you on your hard work." Back in the days of Charles Dickens, commend often meant to put (someone or something) in the hands of someone else for safekeeping. Case in point: David Copperfield was out of luck when his cruel stepdad commended him to the equally cruel schoolmaster Mr. Creakle at Salem house.
Vocabulary lists containing commend
"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act II
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" (1968)
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Much Ado About Nothing
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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.
See Examples For:
“We commend their heroic actions, which we believe helped drive the suspect away from the scene and prevent further casualties,” the department wrote in a statement on Facebook.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
"They risked their safety in a very dangerous and very volatile situation - I commend them for their dedication to duty."
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
Consequently, any attempt to commend the ascetic practices of one religion to the other is fruitless.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
“We commend the EPA for their commitment to reevaluating these policies.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
Well, I see that this wise course does not commend itself to you,” he said.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
There is an amiability to Mr. Dale’s voice, though, that commends him both to the ear and to the material.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
In a statement, the management said it "welcomes the release of its editor and commends the courtesy, professionalism, and attentiveness demonstrated by investigators throughout the process".
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2025
He says that whilst he commends Rothman's "clever handle" and the cinephile in him values the biopics' "bold statement about the value of cinemas and communal viewing," market realities present cautionary signs.
From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2025
She commends his dedication and will to sustain his operations almost single-handedly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2024
A critical spirit never commends its possessor to the affection or the good-will of men.
From One Day at a Time and Other Talks on Life and Religion by Arch. Alexander
Von der Leyen commended Sanchez on the "swift handling" of the crisis that saw tens of thousands of people stream into Ceuta from Morocco -- almost all of whom have since left.
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
He commended his officials for undertaking work "in the face of significant physical and mental challenge".
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Danielle Allen is to be commended for her own act of resistance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
He said the government, which has been coming under fierce criticism for the widespread insecurity across Nigeria, commended the troops.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
The staff noted that he was reserved and quiet and tended to keep to himself, but they commended him for limiting his interactions “so that he is not drawn into too much negativity.”
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
During Sharaa's last visit in January, Putin said "much has been accomplished in terms of restoring our interstate relations", commending Sharaa for his "efforts to restore Syria's territorial integrity".
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
Normally primary candidates postpone commending their opponents until after they’ve either won or lost; Mr. Youngkin expresses his before the contest has started.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026
He even shouted out Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day, commending the “steadfast devotion to Mary that originated in the heart of Mexico.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
Mahmoud offered her condolences to the victims while commending the swift response from local emergency services before adding she will "do whatever it takes" to keep the Jewish community safe.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2025
“Officer Delinko, you’re back on the road, effective immediately. In addition, the sergeant has written a letter commending the outstanding job you did in capturing our suspect. This will become part of your permanent file.”
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
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.
