adjective

commendatory

kuh-MEN-duh-tor-ee/kəˈmɛndəˌtɔri/

Expressing praise or approval.

The woman's commendatory gesture expresses warm approval of the finished bowl.

An older woman gives an unmistakable approving thumbs-up to another older woman's freshly finished ceramic bowl, smiling warmly while looking directly at the work.

Etymology

comLatinperhaps an intensifier

+mendLatinto entrust

+atoryLatinrelating to the action or agent

Entrusting people to another's care, with com- perhaps adding emphasis, developed into presenting them as worthy of regard and thus praising them. Commendatory describes words or acts that convey this praise.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain135:23

this seemed to please the man he clapped ratka on the shoulder making commendatory sounds

1900s Sci-Fi Audiobook: Henry Beam Piper - Five Sci-Fi Short Stories

More examples

The review is largely commendatory but questions the book’s conclusion.
Her supervisor makes several commendatory remarks about her work.
The report adopts a commendatory tone when discussing the safety improvements.

Forms

commendatory

commend verb — To express praise or approval of.

commendation noun — An expression of praise or approval.

Similar words

laudatory: Emphasizes strong praise rather than simple approval.
complimentary: Often describes polite praise directed at a person.
approving: Expresses a favorable judgment without necessarily offering explicit praise.