verb

praise formally or officially.

he was commended by the judge for his courageous actions

praise,compliment,congratulate,applaud,clap,cheer,toast,salute,admire,honour,glorify,extol,eulogize,sing the praises of,praise to the skies,heap praise on,go into raptures about,wax lyrical about,speak highly of,look on with favour,pay homage to,pay tribute to,take one’s hat off to,pat on the back,big someone up,ballyhoo,cry someone up,emblazon,laud,panegyrize