commend
kuh-MENDverbMeaning to praise formally or officially
Memory hook com-MEND: praised for MENDING it. Kai mends the broken garden fence all by himself, and the principal hands him a certificate in front of the whole school. To praise someone formally like that is to commend him.
The principal commended the students who organized the food drive.
In context Instead of scolding the lifeguard for leaving her chair, the manager commended her: she had left it only to help a tired swimmer out of the deep end.
Similar praise, compliment, applaud
Opposite criticize, condemn, censure
From Latin commendare, “to entrust, to recommend”: com (thoroughly) + mandare (to entrust, to order).