as in commemorative
serving to preserve the memory of a person, thing, or an event
an honorary plaque marking the site of the first public school in America
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Recent Examples of honorary
Filmmaker Peter Jackson and his kids take a cute family photo at the honorary Palme d'Or photocall May 12.
—
Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Soon, Dartmouth College will confer an honorary doctorate on Greg Lukianoff, the president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an outspoken and ideologically impartial defender of free speech and academic freedom.
—Robert P. George, Washington Post, 11 May 2026
Later that year, he was named Illinois’ first honorary poet laureate.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
The eponymous award honors aerospace pioneer and Purdue graduate Neil Armstrong (BS aeronautical engineering ’55, honorary doctorate ’70).
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorary
Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Soon, Dartmouth College will confer an honorary doctorate on Greg Lukianoff, the president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an outspoken and ideologically impartial defender of free speech and academic freedom.
—Robert P. George, Washington Post, 11 May 2026
Later that year, he was named Illinois’ first honorary poet laureate.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
The eponymous award honors aerospace pioneer and Purdue graduate Neil Armstrong (BS aeronautical engineering ’55, honorary doctorate ’70).
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorary
Adjective
-
The Lady Rebel has a slightly shorter shaft, measuring 10 inches, but also includes American flag accents and commemorative 1776 details.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
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The Pennsylvania Lottery celebrated Dudley on Friday ahead of Mother's Day, presenting her with a commemorative $1 million check.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Each community will host a memorial service to commemorate the anniversary later this month.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
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Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia, a European Union member, laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial just outside the Kremlin walls but stayed away from the Red Square parade.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorary. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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