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
Strack, who earned honorable mention honors on The Associated Press All-America team, had her 16th double-double of the season, and Key her seventh.
—
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
At the festival, junior Meka Leach won honorable mention for a mixed media piece and senior Allyson Jeziowski earned honorable mention for her piece in digital painting, drawing and collage.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Sophomore forward Micah Robinson has taken a leap, along with honorable mention All-Big 12 forward David Punch.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
Smith was a first-team pick last season and honorable mention for the 2023-24 season.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
At the festival, junior Meka Leach won honorable mention for a mixed media piece and senior Allyson Jeziowski earned honorable mention for her piece in digital painting, drawing and collage.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Sophomore forward Micah Robinson has taken a leap, along with honorable mention All-Big 12 forward David Punch.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
Smith was a first-team pick last season and honorable mention for the 2023-24 season.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
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Cosby’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said in an email after the initial award earlier Monday that they are disappointed and fully intend to appeal the verdict.—
Andrew Dalton,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
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The grants were reinstated under court order in December, and the agency is now accepting applications for 13 grants whose awards range from $5,000 to $1 million.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The three-time MVP cannot miss two more games, or he’ll be disqualified for individual accolades such as MVP and All-NBA teams.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
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No higher accolade can one enforcement officer pay to another.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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LeBron James rewrites another narrative After 23 years of hearing every compliment and every criticism imaginable, James is still smiling through it all.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
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That’s both a compliment to the ridiculous standard Self has built and a comment on how difficult the last three years have looked.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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