Commend quiet lift (6)
I believe the answer is:
praise
'commend' is the definition.
(I know this)
'quiet lift' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'lift' becomes 'raise' (synonyms).
'p'+'raise'='PRAISE'
(Other definitions for praise that I've seen before include "Speak highly of" , "Extol, glorify" , "Applaud, commend" , "Aspire (anag)" , "Cry 'hallelujah'" .)