HOMAGE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'homage' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of homage are deference , honor , and reverence . While all these words mean "respect and esteem shown to another," homage adds the implication of accompanying praise. // paying homage to Shakespeare

Q: Where would 'deference' be a reasonable alternative to 'homage'?

The words deference and homage can be used in similar contexts, but deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence. // showed no deference to their elders

Q: When can 'honor' be used instead of 'homage'?

The words honor and homage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition. // the nomination is an honor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reverence' instead of 'homage'?

In some situations, the words reverence and homage are roughly equivalent. However, reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe. // great reverence for my father

homage

noun

ˈä-mij

Definition of homage

as in tribute

a formal expression of praise the poem is a moving homage to all who have served in our nation's armed services

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as in glory

public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement the unique homage that we grant to Olympic athletes

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How does the noun homage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of homage are deference, honor, and reverence. While all these words mean "respect and esteem shown to another," homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

Where would deference be a reasonable alternative to homage?

The words deference and homage can be used in similar contexts, but deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

When can honor be used instead of homage?

The words honor and homage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

When is it sensible to use reverence instead of homage?

In some situations, the words reverence and homage are roughly equivalent. However, reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

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 homage The lyrics to Musgraves’ fun, flirty tune from this year’s Middle of Nowhere album is an homage to an irresistible, magnetic love. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026 Instead of delighting fans by paying loving homage to the movies or winning over newcomers with an exciting fresh take on the material, the show fails on both fronts, swinging wildly from one misbegotten idea to the next. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 For glam, the actress’ hair was styled with a side part and coiffed in an homage to Old Hollywood glamour by stylist Renato Campora, with makeup by artist Hung Vanngo. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 The Indiana Pacers 2026–27 Classic Edition uniform pays direct homage to the franchise's powerhouse era in the ABA. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for homage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for homage

Noun

For their collaborative full-length debut, Eris Drew and Octo Octa hunkered down in their New Hampshire cabin to craft a celebratory, sample-heavy tribute to the maximalist dance music of yore.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
In the center of the lounge there’s an imposing green marble bar—a tribute to the celebrated Italian architect Piero Portaluppi—that serves as the focal point of the space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of tribute

Noun

Flight controllers burst into applause and jumped to their feet, shaking hands and embracing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
And the London Film Festival audience received the feature warmly, with one moment of raucous applause and plenty of laughter across the screening.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of applause

Noun

Over the course of her long career, Curtis, 67, has developed a lengthy résumé in film and television, winning numerous accolades along the way, including an Oscar and an Emmy (she’s been nominated for a Grammy too — there’s still time for an EGOT).

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Women who've accepted their past mistakes aren't used to accepting accolades.

— Noel Brennan, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of accolade

Noun

The couple next returned to Princeton, and other honors soon followed for the poet.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
And the two players in the Heat’s starting unit who haven’t yet earned that honor — Mitchell and Wiggins — are both considered quality perimeter defenders.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of honor

Noun

When the removal cannot be measured directly, the credibility of each credit rests on the model used to calculate it.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The Horned Frogs’ defense deserves a ton of credit for shutting down a Baylor offense that scored 55 points and rolled up 564 yards in its last game against Arizona State.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of credit

Noun

The Amish Project debuted to critical acclaim at the New York International Fringe Festival and was developed at the Cherry Lane Theatre before premiering Off Broadway at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in 2009.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
The show’s soundtrack also garnered critical acclaim, with many of the covers performed by the cast making the Billboard Hot 100.

— Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Noun

His praise reached Secretly Group’s director of A&R, Eric Deines, who co-runs a smaller label of his own, Ulyssa, previously most notable for its compilations of songs with almost no listens on streaming services called <1000.

— Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
To win effusive praise from special envoy Steve Witkoff and announce a resumption in negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin had to do very little.

— Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

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Holy Writ

homage

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“Homage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/homage. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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