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
In the 2015 Class LL quarterfinal against Greenwich, with its 6-4 center Abbie Wolf (who went on to be an All-Big Ten honorable mention player at Northwestern), South Windsor hit six free throws in the final 30 seconds to win, 69-66.
—
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
Carly had been awarded honorable mention in the spring American Protégé International Music Talent Competition and was invited to play in a recital program at Carnegie.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
In 2024, Joseph was honorable mention All-Sun Belt after starting eight games and appearing in nine.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025
In previous years, many of our other finalists and honorable mention podcasts, including some of our fourth graders, have aired on various NPR programs, including podcasts like Up First, Code Switch or Short Wave.
—Steve Drummond, NPR, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
Carly had been awarded honorable mention in the spring American Protégé International Music Talent Competition and was invited to play in a recital program at Carnegie.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
In 2024, Joseph was honorable mention All-Sun Belt after starting eight games and appearing in nine.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025
In previous years, many of our other finalists and honorable mention podcasts, including some of our fourth graders, have aired on various NPR programs, including podcasts like Up First, Code Switch or Short Wave.
—Steve Drummond, NPR, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
-
And according to most sportsbooks, as of Wednesday evening, McMillan is the runaway favorite to win the end-of-year award.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
That makes the very idea of awards in literature filled with landmines.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Chalamet has counted a Critics Choice Award, Palm Springs International Film Festival award and a nomination at the upcoming Actor Awards among his accolades for Marty Supreme (all one year after earning the same nods for playing Bob Dylan in 2024’s A Complete Unknown).—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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The volume was eventually reprinted in the Modern Library—an accolade that greatly pleased its author.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Plus, get your hands on rich-looking bags and cozy-chic clogs that’ll earn compliments galore.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Graciously accept any compliments, then keep moving in that same generous spirit.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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