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

2

: 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

Examples of commend in a Sentence

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

Little commended the team for doing so then in an X post. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2024

Steichen commended Richardson for his poise on a day when the Colts were far from performing their best. —James Boyd, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

When the agency first released the materials in May, Abbott commended them. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024

But such a victory is not one that strategists or military analysts should endorse, nor one that the future historians will commend. —John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024

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

• commend itself to
• have much to commend it

Kids Definition

commend

verb

com·​mend kə-ˈmend 

1

: to give into another's care : entrust

2

: to speak of someone or something with approval : praise

commended her for her honesty

commendable

-ˈmen-də-bəl 

adjective

commendably

-blē 

adverb