praiseworthy
adjective C2
Plain meaning
deserving praise
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe deserving praise, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded praiseworthy, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a praiseworthy assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a praiseworthy responsepraiseworthy behavioura praiseworthy situation
Watch out
Do not use “very praiseworthy” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
praiseworthyness (noun, where natural)praiseworthyly (adverb, where natural)