Parsing the praise: "commendable" vs. "praiseworthy"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 13/11/2024, 20:25

English.me team member

Commendable and praiseworthy. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "commendable" and "praiseworthy" describe something deserving of praise or approval and are often used interchangeably with neutral or positive connotations.

What is different?

The word "commendable" often has a slightly formal tone, implying a deserving of a verbal acknowledgment or recommendation, while "praiseworthy" straightforwardly indicates something worthy of praise without the implication of formality.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Commendable

Her efforts to improve literacy rates in the community are commendable.
Completing the project ahead of schedule was a commendable achievement.

Praiseworthy

The firefighter's bravery during the rescue was certainly praiseworthy.
Organizing the charity event so effectively was a praiseworthy act.