as in award
recognition given to someone who has done something extremely well but who has not won the top honor
They didn't win the science fair competition but were pleased to receive an honorable mention.
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Recent Examples of honorable mention
Punch was voted honorable mention All-Big 12.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Okorie earned all-ACC first-team honors and was an Associated Press all-American honorable mention.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Was the 2016 Big 12 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and honorable mention All-America as a senior.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Eric is a seven-time APSE award winner; four of his stories received honorable mention recognition in the Best of American Sports Writing anthologies.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
Okorie earned all-ACC first-team honors and was an Associated Press all-American honorable mention.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
Was the 2016 Big 12 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and honorable mention All-America as a senior.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Eric is a seven-time APSE award winner; four of his stories received honorable mention recognition in the Best of American Sports Writing anthologies.
—Eric Prisbell, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
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Users can bet on the outcomes of everything from elections to sports to award shows.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
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The actors join an ensemble led by Kevin Bacon, Erin Kellyman, and Tim McGraw in this adaptation of the the award-winning graphic novel series by Jason Aaron & Jason Latour.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jokic secured his eligibility for the accolade by playing his 65th game on the last night of the regular season, narrowly meeting the NBA’s quota to appear on awards ballots.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
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The choice of San Diego as the awards location isn’t necessarily an indication that special accolades will be awarded to local restaurants this year.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both American and Brazilian volleyball players — a nod to the fact that Vivian’s mom, Gisele Bündchen, is Brazilian — showed up with offers and compliments.—
Ryan Brennan
April 22,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
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Don’t be surprised if the vintage-looking drinkware sparks conversations and compliments.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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