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Definitions

hand it to

VERB
acclaim
Synonyms
STRONGEST
applaud extol hail laud
STRONG
approve boost celebrate cheer clap commend compliment eulogize exalt honor praise push rave recommend root salute stroke
WEAK
blow horn give a bouquet give a posy give kudos hear it for puff up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame criticize
STRONG
censure condemn denounce disapprove discourage dissuade refuse reproach
WEAK
berate damn dishonor vituperate
VERB
commend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
applaud approve compliment endorse extol hail laud
STRONG
acclaim accredit advocate boost build countenance eulogize sanction stroke support
WEAK
build up give a posy gold star hats off to hear it for kudize pat on the back puff up speak highly of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame censure criticize disapprove oppose reject
STRONG
decrease deny discourage prevent refuse
WEAK
keep rebuke reprimand
VERB
compliment
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 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
VERB
congratulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
applaud laud praise salute
STRONG
bless boost felicitate stroke toast
WEAK
give a big cigar give bouquet give regards gold star hear it for pat on back rejoice with wish happy returns wish joy to wish one well
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame
STRONG
condemn
WEAK
commiserate criticize
VERB
extol
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acclaim applaud celebrate commend eulogize exalt glorify laud praise
STRONG
bless boost hymn magnify push rave root stroke
WEAK
brag about cry up give a boost to give a bouquet hats off to hear it for make much of panegyrize pay tribute to puff up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame castigate censure condemn criticize debase denounce disapprove humiliate
STRONG
decrease discourage
VERB
laud
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admire adore celebrate commend compliment eulogize extol honor revere
STRONG
approve bless boost flatter glorify hymn magnify reverence stroke venerate worship
WEAK
build up cry up panegyrize pat on the back sing the praises of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abhor blame censure condemn criticize denounce despise detest hate
STRONG
castigate decrease disallow disapprove refuse

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.

You have to hand it to college football.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

Even the lone remaining bear on Wall Street had to hand it to Seagate.

From Barron's • Oct. 29, 2025

You have to hand it to John Roberts: The chief justice played his cards right.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2024

It may not turn Macklemore’s image around completely for some, but you have to hand it to him for grilling up a legitimately spicy cut, and for the first time in a long while.

From Salon • May 8, 2024

I tear the page out, carefully, and hand it to her.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.