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Definitions

hats off to

VERB
approve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept advocate agree authorize back certify confirm endorse establish license okay permit push for ratify recommend sanction sign support uphold
STRONG
accede accredit acquiesce affirm assent bless boost buy charter concur consent dig empower encourage groove maintain mandate pronounce seal second validate
WEAK
buy into get behind give go-ahead go along with lap up make law make valid sign off on stump for subscribe to thumbs-up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
contradict decline deny destroy disagree disallow disapprove discourage disprove dispute dissuade invalidate oppose protest refuse reject renounce repudiate veto
STRONG
condemn differ dissent object
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 hand it 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
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 hand it 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

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.

"They gave us their best shot on a short week so hats off to them," Broncos quarterback Nix said after the win.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

As for your mother-in-law being 81 and wanting to take this trip, I take my many hats off to her.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

If those guys come in and ball out and they’re better than us, hats off to them.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

“That’s hats off to ownership and the front office for believing in pieces that were already here.”

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

“Well, hats off to your stylist. I don’t think anyone can argue that that’s not the most spectacular thing we’ve ever seen in an interview. Cinna, I think you better take a bow!”

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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