commend
verb
com·mend kə-ˈmend 
commended; commending; commends
transitive verb
1
: to entrust for care or preservation
"To Thee I do commend my watchful soul / Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes."
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare2
: to recommend as worthy of confidence or notice
Your proposal has much to commend it.
3
: to mention with approbation : praise
We commend you for your continuing dedication to excellence.
commendable
kə-ˈmen-də-bəl
adjective commendably
kə-ˈmen-də-blē
adverb commender noun
Synonyms
- commit
- confide
- consign
- delegate
- deliver
- entrust
- intrust
- give
- give over
- hand
- hand over
- leave
- pass
- recommend
- repose
- transfer
- transmit
- trust
- turn over
- vest
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His poetry is highly commended by other writers. I commend this book to anyone interested in learning more about American history.
Recent Examples on the Web That pledge led some progressives to commend the progress so far but still call for more. Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2022 Environmentalists commend its ability to absorb carbon underwater and grow rapidly without feed. Jess Eng, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 The awards ceremony, held in front of an audience for the first time since the start of the pandemic, was to commend films from both 2020 and 2021 as the ceremony was canceled last year. Karen Chu, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2022 Most reviews boast about smooth transactions and commend their representatives for exceptional service. Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 July 2022 Thursday's votes for the operating and capital budgets were both 26-0, with members taking turns during the meeting to commend the bipartisanship work shown during the budget process. Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, 23 June 2022 A few nights after the Grammys, Colbert called Batiste over to the late-night show couch to commend his victories in a segment that spotlighted the sincerity of both men. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 In December 2018, Rahinsky wrote Schurr to commend him for chasing and catching a suspect who tried to run away during a traffic stop in May 2018. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2022 Avoiding eye contact and making a quick exit are the chief requirements in this awkward situation, so Miss Manners was about to commend you. Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2022 See More
Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2022 Environmentalists commend its ability to absorb carbon underwater and grow rapidly without feed. Jess Eng, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 The awards ceremony, held in front of an audience for the first time since the start of the pandemic, was to commend films from both 2020 and 2021 as the ceremony was canceled last year. Karen Chu, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2022 Most reviews boast about smooth transactions and commend their representatives for exceptional service. Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 July 2022 Thursday's votes for the operating and capital budgets were both 26-0, with members taking turns during the meeting to commend the bipartisanship work shown during the budget process. Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, 23 June 2022 A few nights after the Grammys, Colbert called Batiste over to the late-night show couch to commend his victories in a segment that spotlighted the sincerity of both men. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 In December 2018, Rahinsky wrote Schurr to commend him for chasing and catching a suspect who tried to run away during a traffic stop in May 2018. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2022 Avoiding eye contact and making a quick exit are the chief requirements in this awkward situation, so Miss Manners was about to commend you. Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French comander, from Latin commendare, from com- + mandare to entrust — more at mandate
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing commend
Kids Definition
commend
verb
com·mend kə-ˈmend
commended; commending
1
: to give into another's care : entrust
2
: to speak or write of with approval : praise
The police officers were commended for bravery.
commended
verb
as in handed
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another I commend my fate into your hands Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- handed
- gave
- recommended
- left
- delegated
- transferred
- delivered
- entrusted
- committed
- confided
- passed
- trusted
- relinquished
- granted
- reposed
- consigned
- conferred
- transmitted
- submitted
- intrusted
- vested
- loaned
- lent
- handed over
- assigned
- turned over
- bequeathed
- distributed
- dispensed
- divided
- supplied
- furnished
- gave over
- dispersed
- released
- willed
- recommitted
- handed in
- surrendered
- yielded
- turned in
- handed down
- advanced
- handed on
- dealt (out)
- redelivered
- retransferred
- retransmitted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- kept
- held
- retained
- received
- accepted
- reserved
- withheld
- possessed
- owned
- took
- detained
- occupied
- held back
- took in
- took over