commend

praise, applaud, commend, compliment

这些动词均有“赞扬、表扬、称赞”之意。
praise: 普通用词，指用语言或其它方式表示夸奖、赞扬。
applaud: 指出色的表演或高尚的行为等得到同声赞许、大声叫好或热烈鼓掌。
commend: 正式用词，指对具体功绩或成就等表示称赞或嘉奖。
compliment: 侧重客气和礼貌，有时含恭维之意。

动词 commend:

1. express approval of
2. present as worthy of regard, kindness, or confidence
3. give to in charge
4. express a good opinion of
   同义词：recommend
5. mention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship
   同义词：remember

1. His work was highly commended.
   他的工作备受赞赏。
2. She commended the child to her sister's care.
   她将孩子委托给她妹妹照管。

com.mend

v.tr.（及物动词）
com.mend.ed,com.mend.ing,com.mends
To represent as worthy, qualified, or desirable; recommend.
推荐：作为可尊敬的、合格的或令人想要的来提出；推荐
To express approval of; praise.See Synonyms at praise
表示赞同；称赞参见 praise
To commit to the care of another; entrust.
委托：委托另一人照应；委托

来源：
Middle English commenden
中古英语 commenden
from Latin commend3re
源自 拉丁语 commend3re
com- [intensive pref.] * see com-
com- [加强语气的前缀] *参见 com-
mand3re [to entrust] * see man- 2
mand3re [委托] *参见 man- 2

【引伸】
commend.able
adj.（形容词）
commend.ableness
n.（名词）
commend.ably
adv.（副词）