Standard Lemma guide

commendatory

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Serving to commend or compliment; complimentary.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1577, Raphael Holinshed et al., The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irlande, London: John Hunne, The Historie of England, Kinewulfe, p. 198, In the yeare of our Lorde .786. [...] Pope Adrian sent two Lega[ts into] Englande [...] with letters commendatory vnto Offa king of Mercia [...]
  • c. 1726, Alexander Pope, letter to Jonathan Swift dated 8 March, in English Letters and Letter-Writers of the Eighteenth Century, London: George Bell, First Series, 1886, p. 470, You received, I hope, some commendatory verses from a Horse, and a Lilliputian, to Gulliver; and an heroic Epistle to Mrs. Gulliver.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Holding a benefice in commendam.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a commendatory bishop

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

That which commends; a commendation; eulogy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From commend + -atory.

Real reading context

commendatory in complete knowledge articles