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Definitions

compliment

[kom-pluh-muhnt, kom-pluh-ment] / ˈkɒm plə mənt, ˈkɒm pləˌmɛnt /
NOUN
praise, flattery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admiration adulation applause blessing commendation courtesy endorsement homage ovation tribute
STRONG
acclaim acclamation appreciation approval bouquet cajolery comp confirmation congratulations encomium eulogy favor felicitation honor laud laurels notice orchid panegyric posy regard respects sanction sentiment veneration
WEAK
buttering up good word kudo laudation pat on the back warm fuzzy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame censure criticism disapproval disregard silence
STRONG
condemnation disfavor dislike disrespect ignorance neglect opposition refusal veto
WEAK
complaint denunciation insult libel slander
VERB
praise, flatter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
applaud cajole commend congratulate endorse extol laud
STRONG
acclaim adulate celebrate charm cheer commemorate eulogize exalt felicitate glorify hail honor magnify please recommend salute sanction satisfy soothe toast worship
WEAK
butter up fawn upon give bouquet hand it to ingratiate oneself with kudize make much of panegyrize pat on the back pay respects pay tribute to puff up roose sing praises of speak highly of take off hat to trade last wish joy to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame censure criticize disapprove repel
STRONG
anger castigate condemn debase denounce depress discourage dishonor displease disrespect dissuade forget humiliate neglect refuse shame upset worry
WEAK
complain insult libel slander

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.

“She kept coming back and trying to compliment me, like, ‘Oh my god, I love your nails,’” she said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick: Justice Sotomayor usually goes out of her way to compliment her colleagues when she does these talks, including those on the right.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

“To have a couple of alumni that were on that team here today, that’s really special, and I really want to compliment these guys for always having a sense of humility,” coach Cori Close said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

We thought we owed him the opportunity after our criticism of his tariffs, and we’ll pay him the additional compliment of parsing his claims.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

And I could feel how happy the compliment made him.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Vocabulary lists containing compliment

Some Tricky Homonyms

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"Of Mice and Men"

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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!