praiseworthy

Everyday

1. Deserving praise; good and admirable. tree →
2. (formal) Worth being approved of, even if not completely successful: «a praiseworthy effort». tree →

In the lessons

In school reports and ethics lessons: praiseworthy behaviour, a praiseworthy effort. It often praises the effort or intention rather than the result. In the exam voice it is a polite, slightly formal word. Phrases: «praiseworthy effort», «praiseworthy aim», «highly praiseworthy».

Examples

• Lucy's honesty about the broken window was praiseworthy. tree →
• Raising money for the animal shelter is a praiseworthy idea. tree →
• It was a praiseworthy effort, even though we lost the match. tree →
• The headteacher said the class's behaviour on the trip was praiseworthy. tree →
• Helping a lost child is praiseworthy. tree →
• Giving up your seat to an old person is a praiseworthy habit. tree →
• He gave himself up entirely to the race, and ran with his house on his back, which was all, of course, very praiseworthy; and therefore he obtained the second prize." tree →

Note

One word: praise + worthy. Similar words: «admirable», «commendable», «creditable». Opposite: «blameworthy». It is mostly used in writing or formal talk.