commemorate
verb
transitive verb
Did you know?
When you remember something, you are mindful of it. It's appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning "mindful." English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.
Synonyms
- memorialize
- monumentalize
Example Sentences
Eric Olson, ajc, 17 Sep. 2022 Godard received a commission to make a film to commemorate the five-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the city of Lausanne, where the Swiss Cinémathèque is located, near his home town of Rolle. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2022 If everything goes right, the dining institution hopes to reopen in late October, just in time to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 The American flag is unfurled on the side of the Pentagon to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, September 11, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia. CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 This is one of the many tributes seen across the world as people continue to commemorate the queen’s legacy. Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 11 Sep. 2022 Around Greater Cincinnati, a number of memorials and events have been planned to commemorate the anniversary. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 County Executive Barry Glassman will lead county employees in a moment of silence and lay a wreath to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2022 In 2018, The King of Staten Island star honored the memory of his father on the anniversary of his death, sharing several photos to commemorate his legacy. Breanna Bell, PEOPLE.com, 13 July 2022 See More Word History
Latin commemoratus, past participle of commemorare, from com- + memorare to remind of, from memor mindful — more at memory
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
commemorate
verb
commemorate
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- celebrate
- memorialize
- honor
- remember
- monumentalize
- observe
- enshrine
- exalt
- keep
- consecrate
- solemnize
- glorify
- sanctify
- bless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disgrace
- dishonor
Synonyms & Similar Words
- celebrate
- bless
- observe
- honor
- remember
- keep
- memorialize
- consecrate
- solemnize
- sanctify
- praise
- laud
- fete
- fête
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- violate
- forget
- break
- ignore
- overlook
- disregard
- transgress
- neglect
- blow off
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of commemorate are celebrate, keep, and observe. While all these words mean "to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed," commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.
The words celebrate and commemorate can be used in similar contexts, but celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.
In some situations, the words keep and commemorate are roughly equivalent. However, keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.
The words observe and commemorate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.