Recommended

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌɹɛkəˈmɛndɪd/

Definitions

1. To be suggested as favorable or advantageous for a particular aim
2. To be advocated as a choice deemed effective or beneficial for a given situation
3. To suggest something as an appropriate or beneficial option based on judgment or good reasons

Etymology: The adjective "recommended" is simply the past participle of the verb, so its story is the verb's. That verb came into English through Middle English "recommenden" and Old French "recommender", and it is built from Latin parts that each carry a physical sense. The prefix "re-" sits in front of "commendare", which combines "con-" (together) with "mandare", meaning to entrust or enjoin. Underneath that is "manus", the hand, and "dare", to give. Put together, the Latin image is of handing something over into someone else's keeping. That sense of entrusting explains why "commend" and "recommend" once carried a flavour of putting a person or thing into safe hands, rather than simply praising it. The modern sense of pointing someone toward a good choice grew out of that older idea of commending something to another's care.

Synonyms: suggested, advised, endorsed, proposed, commended

Antonyms: discouraged, dissuaded