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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
This year’s awards ceremony will take place on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 May 2025 Travis ended up finishing fifth in Heisman trophy voting behind wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterbacks Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and Jayden Daniels, the latter of which took home the award. Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
States also earned higher scores when virtual schooling was available statewide, and points were awarded to states that allowed intradistrict and interdistrict open enrollment. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded in age categories, along with an overall winner. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for award
Recent Examples of Synonyms for award
Noun
  • No, no one else won the jackpot, Match 5 + Power Play $2 million prize, or the Match 5 $1 million prize.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Maybe this year, in homage to Keith, mark this momentous occasion by spinning his many songs while serving up a Kentucky bourbon pie and rooting for Render Judgment to take the top prize at Louisville's famed Churchill Downs track.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Listen to this article 5 min Sheryl Crow opened up about her decision to leave Los Angeles behind to start a new chapter of her life in Tennessee.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
  • The Lovers arrive to suggest that a key relationship or decision will take center stage this month.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Creating an organizational culture that rewards meeting work goals rather than being at work helps too.
    Lieke ten Brummelhuis, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • He is being rewarded for it with a chance in the NFL.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • More: States scramble after Trump's 'devastating' cuts to humanities grants A spokesperson for NEH did not return a request for more information.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In short, these businesses granted the IRS a 15.3% profit share in their business.
    Cindy McGhee, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Among Andor’s accolades were eight Emmy nominations and a Peabody Award.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Mark is an exceptional horse trainer with accolades like training Quarter Horse Race Stake winners and even polo horses for Polo Hall of Famer Bart Evans.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Massachusetts woman is back in court after a first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2024 after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • His decision eliminated the need for a weekslong, high-profile court battle that would almost certainly have ended in a guilty verdict.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Carner honors his hero by sampling a clip of Zephaniah speaking on the Brixton riots, but also the potential and hope of the youth to change things.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Across history, grief has long been honored as a sacred rite of passage.
    Devi Brown, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Guardian newspaper reports that the former Doctor Who star – who appeared in the 2005 film adaptation of Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – gave his opinion of Rowling in answer to questions posed by a group of neurodivergent young adults in ITV’s show The Assembly.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
  • In Wells’ opinion, that ability has been the most remarkable thing about him thus far.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Award.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/award. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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