What does praiseworthily mean?
Praiseworthily is an adverb meaning in a manner that deserves praise or commendation. It is used when describing conduct that is admirable, commendable, or worthy of approval, usually in formal or literary prose. The word distinguishes the quality of an action from the act of praising it: a person may behave praiseworthily even when nobody praises them. In practice, “in a praiseworthy manner” is more common, so praiseworthily sounds somewhat formal and uncommon. Its connotation is positive but measured: it suggests that conduct meets a high standard of integrity, courage, or consideration without necessarily implying brilliance or heroism. The word is especially useful in evaluation, reporting, and commentary where exact praise needs qualification. It also clarifies the distinction between being worthy of praise and actively offering praise. As a precise adverb, praiseworthily gives writers a compact way to describe admirable conduct while preserving an explicitly evaluative tone.
adverbIn a manner that deserves praise or commendation; admirably or commendably.
- In a manner that deserves praise or commendation.
"The witness behaved praiseworthily, remaining calm and cooperative throughout the inquiry."
"She accepted the criticism with such grace that she handled the difficult exchange praiseworthily."
"The witness behaved praiseworthily, remaining calm and cooperative throughout the inquiry."
Praiseworthily describes the deed, not the applause: it means “in a way that deserves praise.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does praiseworthily come from?
The adverb was formed by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective praiseworthy. The adjective combines praise, which entered Middle English through Old French from Latin pretiare, with worthy, which comes from Old English weorþig. The resulting word therefore joins a Romance-derived element with an English Germanic one to describe conduct that merits commendation.
Related word forms
How praiseworthily is actually used
A formal and relatively uncommon word, often replaced in ordinary usage by the phrase “in a praiseworthy manner.” It has a positive but measured connotation, indicating conduct that merits approval rather than necessarily exceptional brilliance or heroism.
Easily confused with praiseworthily
Praiseworthy is an adjective describing someone or something; praiseworthily is the corresponding adverb describing how an action is performed.