laudable

adjective

laud·​able ˈlȯ-də-bəl 

: worthy of praise : commendable

She has shown a laudable devotion to her children.

laudableness

ˈlȯ-də-bəl-nəs 

noun

laudably

ˈlȯ-də-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

Let’s have a hearty round of applause for laudable, a word that never fails to celebrate the positive. Laudable comes ultimately from Latin laud- or laus, meaning "praise," as does laudatory. However, the two differ in meaning, and usage commentators warn against using them interchangeably. Laudable means "deserving praise" or "praiseworthy," as in "laudable efforts to help the disadvantaged." Laudatory means "giving praise" or "expressing praise," as in "a laudatory book review." People occasionally use laudatory in place of laudable, but this use is not considered standard.

Synonyms

• admirable
• applaudable
• commendable
• creditable
• estimable
• meritorious
• praiseworthy

Examples of laudable in a Sentence

Improving the schools is a laudable goal.

you showed laudable restraint in dealing with that ridiculously demanding customer

Recent Examples on the Web

The ambitious efforts earlier in the LP are laudable, but ultimately don’t land. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Nov. 2024

And if that means rich and poor alike are reporting large and small amounts of income as tips, that too is a laudable outcome. —John Tamny, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

While the ambition is laudable, American critics are mixed on the execution. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024

Bonta’s lawsuit will hold Exxon accountable for its disinformation around advanced recycling in addition to traditional recycling—another unprecedented and laudable move. —Judith Enck, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

laudable

adjective

laud·​able ˈlȯd-ə-bəl 

: praiseworthy

laudableness

-nəs 

noun

laudably

ˈlȯd-ə-blē 

adverb