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 1968, he was named First-Team All-Ivy and an honorable mention All-American.
—
Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
For Cookie Brokers, that connection with customers is the greatest recognition that can come before any award or honorable mention.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Where roughly does Tate McRae currently rank for you in the Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 discussion — top five, top 10, honorable mention or not on the list?
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
Ham meat—another low-fat, protein-rich option—received an honorable mention.
—Laura Schober, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
For Cookie Brokers, that connection with customers is the greatest recognition that can come before any award or honorable mention.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Where roughly does Tate McRae currently rank for you in the Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 discussion — top five, top 10, honorable mention or not on the list?
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
Ham meat—another low-fat, protein-rich option—received an honorable mention.
—Laura Schober, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
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On Monday, he was posthumously named a national hero of Indonesia – prompting protests from human rights groups and victims who decried the award as whitewashing a repressive regime that left hundreds of thousands dead, according to historians.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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While the film earned numerous accolades, including a Film Independent Spirit win and a Sundance Film Festival directing award, the experience of being both filmmaker’s and subject left him drained.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But beyond the wins, losses and accolades, there was the man who remained in his players’ lives, through good times and tough times.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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The singer delivered a pulsating rendition of the record paired with slick choreography and a crew of dancers in a warehouse for the set that marks her latest accolade, being named Global Push Artist for November.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This no-cook pea salad is the perfect, vibrant compliment to any potluck or cookout.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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