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award

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb award contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of award are accord, concede, grant, and vouchsafe. While all these words mean "to give as a favor or a right," award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors.

awarded the company a huge defense contract

When is accord a more appropriate choice than award?

Although the words accord and award have much in common, accord implies giving to another what is due or proper.

accorded all the honors befitting a head of state

When can concede be used instead of award?

While in some cases nearly identical to award, concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim.

even her critics concede she can be charming

In what contexts can grant take the place of award?

The meanings of grant and award largely overlap; however, grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld.

granted them a new hearing

Where would vouchsafe be a reasonable alternative to award?

The words vouchsafe and award can be used in similar contexts, but vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension.

vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of award
Noun
Bros and the award-winning series On the Spectrum. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025 As awards season contenders continue to take shape, the Hamptons International Film Festival has delivered the winners of its 33rd outing in the luxurious beach haven. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in January. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025 She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden early this year after being a presence on television for decades. Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for award
Recent Examples of Synonyms for award
Noun
  • The effervescent Milford landed one of Coming Home’s four acting Oscar nominations, with Fonda and Jon Voight winning the best actress and best actor prizes and Bruce Dern getting nominated for his supporting turn.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Most states offer the Megaplier feature, which increases non-jackpot prizes from two, three, four and five times.
    Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Third, standardize decision-grade data and impact frameworks.
    Olivier Wenden, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Filosa said the investment decisions were a result of discussions with the company’s new leadership team as well as stakeholders such as the company’s franchised dealer network.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Investors and regulators should adopt transparent, comparable metrics so capital rewards genuine impact, not greenwash.
    Olivier Wenden, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • If Mays continues to play well, perhaps the front office will reward him with a long-term contract.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In addition, the house includes two parking spots, granting ample parking space for two vehicles.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The labels have for the most part taken a cautiously experimental approach to AI music in the past several years, granting licenses to a few companies to create tools like AI voice clones or music generators, but suing several developers who didn’t get licenses for their models.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Sweeney’s performance earned her an acting accolade at the Hamptons International Film Festival in October.
    Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Messi has more than just individual accolades at stake on Saturday.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before delivering the verdict.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • He was charged with the deaths of Maggie and Paul on July 14, 2022, sparking a months-long trial that ended with a guilty verdict.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Veteran journalist Deborah Norville — who retired from Inside Edition in May after serving as the anchor of the news magazine for 30 years — will also be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The terms of Mike Hill’s contract will be honored, including a financial payout of his $420,000 base salary through June 30, 2030.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The opinion is also one of which the new Victoria’s Secret creative director, Adam Selman, disagrees with.
    Essence, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The move divided opinion in Kenya but underscored Odinga's enduring role as a political power broker.
    NPR, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Award.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/award. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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