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
Austin's tourist gem Terry Black's BBQ, which just received an honorable mention nod on Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ in Texas list, is packing up its smokers and heading to Nashville.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
All-conference and Class 4A all-state honorable mention.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Along with the following bars, some honorable mention picks included Proof on Main and Nouvelle Bar + Bottle.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 31 July 2025
Though he’s been an honorable mention in 2021 and 2024, Tyler, The Creator has yet to finish in our Greatest Pop Stars year-end top 10.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
All-conference and Class 4A all-state honorable mention.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Along with the following bars, some honorable mention picks included Proof on Main and Nouvelle Bar + Bottle.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 31 July 2025
Though he’s been an honorable mention in 2021 and 2024, Tyler, The Creator has yet to finish in our Greatest Pop Stars year-end top 10.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
-
Organisations parented by his vision host serious literary gatherings, confer prestigious awards, build encyclopaedic information on Tamil literature, art and culture, and impart literary, cultural and philosophical education to hundreds of curious minds.—
Priyamvada Ramkumar
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
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The award, now in its 17th year, is a partnership between Red Gold and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, and is presented to Red Gold growers who value improving soil health and water quality on their operations, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In 1896, Huestis’s career took off as her commercial illustrations began appearing in prominent magazines and, along with her colleague Ami Mali Hicks, winning accolades.—
Anne Halsey,
JSTOR Daily,
6 Aug. 2025
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A lot of times these kinds of accomplishments and accolades are hard to process in the moment, because everything has been happening so fast.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
Billboard,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Declining a compliment can make the giver feel rejected.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
4 Aug. 2025
-
And sure, heartbreak is universal, but to borrow another phrase: Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and Olivia Rodrigo is currently one of its loudest voices (again, a compliment).—
Jessi Roti,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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