commendable

American  

[kuh-men-duh-buhl] / kəˈmɛn də bəl /

adjective

1. worthy of praise.

   She did a commendable job of informing all the interested parties.

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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."

Example Sentences

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

While it's commendable for an artist to put music ahead of profit, it took Azalea another four years for release new music.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

But as Mr. Crouch also demonstrates, other aspects of these decades were less commendable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

Not that the PA is a thoroughly commendable organization.

From Slate • Sep. 3, 2025

A streak of tolerance was detectable; Finny decided that they were beginning to show commendable signs of maturity.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• admirable
• creditable
• excellent
• exemplary
• laudable
• meritorious