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commendation

commendation

39 6.8
An official award or letter praising someone for good work
  • noun
  • /ˌkɒmənˈdeɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : reconocimiento
  • Lori got an official commendation from the Ash Fork Police Department.
  • receive a commendation
  • letter of commendation
  • certificate of commendation

We know that you didn't get some commendation from the Nebraska folks.

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Examples

  • For bringing an end to the calamities and disturbances in our community, and for the apprehension of the individual responsible, Snivley, the city of Henderson awards this plaque of commendation and outstanding citizenship to the group known as the Halloween Heroes.

  • For bravery in the line of fire... the mayor and people of New York thank you, Officer Wallace... and present you with this commendation.

  • We should send a letter of commendation to the Armed Forces Radio Network.

  • Sergeant Rawlins has recommended that you receive a commendation.

  • All members of the Pension Committee merit special commendation for working through this excruciatingly complex problem.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Colonel John macwilliams was presented with a special presidential commendation for valor.

  • For her work with Boas and Benedict, Deloria received many commendations, including the Indian Achievement Award in 1943 from Chicago's Indian Council Fire.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Our 100% participation has earned us a special commendation from the superintendent of schools.

  • I am pleased to present you with this special commendation from the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce.

  • Colonel John MacWilliams was presented with a special presidential commendation for valor.

Synonyms

honor
vscommendation
  • US
2.7

High respect or recognition for someone's achievements

is the official praise or statement given especially for good service
congratulation
vscommendation
904 1.3

Words said or written to show you are happy for someone's success

is the formal official statement or award rather than a general expression of good wishes
credit
vscommendation
829 2.4

Praise or public recognition for something someone did

is the formal official statement or award rather than a brief informal mention
reward
vscommendation
601 1.3

Something given to a person to thank them for doing something good

is the official statement or award that focuses on praise rather than payment
compliment
vscommendation
342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

is the official statement or award rather than a casual remark of praise
approval
vscommendation
220 1.0

A sign that someone thinks a person or thing is good

is an official praise or award that publicly honors service rather than mere acceptance
endorsement
vscommendation
161 3.6

A public statement supporting a person, product, or idea

is an official praise or award praising service rather than general support
recognition
vscommendation
141 3.4

Public praise for someone's achievement or effort

is an official statement or award rather than general public acknowledgment
appreciation
vscommendation
121 3.0

An action or words that show you are grateful for help and kindness

is the official praise or award rather than a personal feeling or thanks
memorial
vscommendation
  • Formal
42 4.6

An official statement that praises a person's service or achievements

is an official statement or award for good work or service in general
kudo
vscommendation
37 8.3

A praise or compliment for something someone did

is the official statement or award rather than a brief casual compliment
accolade
vscommendation
33 7.0

A prize or public praise for very good work

is the official praise or statement rather than a single tangible gift
acclaim
vscommendation
30 4.2

Praise given to someone in public for an achievement

is an official statement or award rather than general public praise
good word
vscommendation
26 2.5

Short praise said about someone to help them be chosen for something

is the official statement or award rather than a brief spoken recommendation
kudos
vscommendation
21 5.3

Praise and respect people give for doing something well

is the formal official statement or award rather than general informal honor
citation
vscommendation
  • Formal
18 5.5

An official award that praises someone for brave or helpful service

is the general official praise or award for good work or service
rave review
vscommendation
  • Literature
15 3.3

A very positive written or spoken opinion about something such as a play

is an official statement or award rather than a published enthusiastic review
acknowledgment
vscommendation
  • US
11 3.7

A short sign that shows you notice or thank someone

is the formal official praise or award rather than a simple thanks
stamp of approval
vscommendation
9 3.4

An official sign that shows someone agrees with something

is a statement or award that praises service or performance rather than approval alone
decoration
vscommendation
9 4.1

A medal or ribbon given to honor someone's achievement

is the broader official praise or acknowledgement beyond just physical medals
critical acclaim
vscommendation
7 4.2

Praise and respect from critics for a work like a film or book

is the official statement or award rather than praise from specialist critics
positive feedback
vscommendation
6 3.2

Comments that praise or encourage someone's work

is an official statement or award rather than routine evaluative comments
approbation
vscommendation
  • Formal
4 8.5

Official approval or praise from a person in charge

is an official statement or award that praises achievement rather than only approval
special award
vscommendation
  • Formal
4 2.9

Official recognition given for important achievements or contributions

is an official statement or award that praises good work or service generally
plaudit
vscommendation
  • Formal
4 8.2

An expression of strong praise for someone or something

is the official statement or award rather than a mere enthusiastic praise
encomium
vscommendation
  • Formal
1 9.9

A speech or piece of writing that praises someone highly

is the official statement or award rather than a formal praising speech alone
congratulatory letter
vscommendation
  • Formal
1 3.4

A formal letter praising someone for an important success

is an official statement or award focused on praise rather than a personal written message
congratulations letter
vscommendation
  • Formal
1 2.6

A formal letter that praises someone's success or achievement

is a general official award or statement not limited to messages
laurels
vscommendation
1 5.1

Awards or praise given for success

is the specific official praise or award rather than the general honors
plaudits
vscommendation
  • Formal
8.2

Praise people give someone in public for something good they did

is an official statement or award rather than general public applause or praise
compliments
vscommendation
1.3

Polite words that show respect or good wishes to someone

is an official praise or award rather than short polite expressions or wishes
congratulations
vscommendation
1.1

Words you say to show you are happy about someone's good news

is an official statement or award rather than a simple congratulatory phrase

Antonyms

censure
  • Formal
141 7.4

A formal statement expressing strong disapproval of someone

45 3.0

A feeling that shows you do not agree with someone or what they do

How Praised

honor
  • US
2.7
decoration
9 4.1
award
1.0
commendation
  • Formal
39 6.8
praise
161 1.0

Surface Forms

commendation singular
commendations plural

Morphology

commendation = commend (transparent) = commend + ation

The noun is a regular nominalization of the verb 'commend' with '-ation', and the meaning 'praise/official award' follows directly.

Etymology

Commendation comes from Latin parts com- 'with' and mandare 'to entrust', so to 'commend' someone was to put them in good hands and say they could be trusted. That's why a commendation today is an official praise or award showing respect for someone's good work.