Synonyms of honor

honor 1 of 2

verb

ˈä-nər 

as in to recognize

to show appreciation, respect, or affection for (someone) with a public celebration

the newlyweds were honored with a dinner given by the bride's grandmother

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recognize
• thank
• celebrate
• credit
• commemorate
• congratulate
• acknowledge
• commend
• salute
• fete
• praise
• compliment
• applaud
• extol
• cheer
• laud
• cite
• memorialize
• acclaim
• glorify
• hail
• tout
• laureate
• felicitate
• observe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• dishonor
• shame
• discredit
• disgrace
• humiliate
• libel
• defame
• slander
• malign
• condemn
• denounce
• hiss
• jeer
• boo
• damn
• censure
• slight
• bad-mouth
• mock
• ridicule
• put down
• hoot
• reprobate

honor

2 of 2

noun

ˈä-nər 

1

as in integrity

faithfulness to high moral standards

the mayor, a man of honor, never broke a promise to the voters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrity
• honesty
• virtue
• morality
• justice
• righteousness
• rectitude
• uprightness
• probity
• nobility
• respectability
• fairness
• decency
• reputability
• conscientiousness
• character
• blamelessness
• scrupulousness
• incorruptibility
• virtuousness
• irreproachability
• high-mindedness
• irreproachableness
• right-mindedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dishonor
• degradation
• baseness
• disgrace
• corruption
• dissipation
• lowness
• perversion
• debasement
• decadence
• shamelessness
• degeneracy
• depravity
• venality
• looseness
• profligacy
• debauchery
• criminality
• dissoluteness
• immorality
• dishonesty
• corruptibility
• corruptness
• unrighteousness
• blameworthiness
• crookedness
• unscrupulousness
• disgracefulness
• disreputableness
• pervertedness
• rascality
• dissipatedness
• meanness
• wickedness
• knavery
• sinfulness
• villainy
• vileness
• wretchedness
• rottenness
• roguishness
• reprehensibleness

2

as in treasure

an asset that brings praise or renown

a dedicated, caring teacher who is an honor to the teaching profession

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treasure
• jewel
• trophy
• pride
• highlight
• glory
• boast
• credit
• attraction
• crown jewel
• feature
• excellence
• a feather in one's cap
• value
• merit
• virtue
• pièce de résistance
• showpiece
• distinction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dishonor
• disgrace
• defect
• shame
• stain
• stigma
• blot
• blemish
• slur
• smudge
• mess
• horror
• fright
• smirch
• eyesore

3

as in glory

public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement

the honor we give to our soldiers on Veterans Day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glory
• accolade
• applause
• credit
• praise
• acclaim
• homage
• laud
• distinction
• fame
• commendation
• kudos
• tribute
• ovation
• laurels
• sun
• props
• réclame
• bay(s)
• renown
• repute
• compliment
• celebrity
• eulogy
• toast
• encomium
• panegyric
• recommendation
• plaudit
• acclamation
• citation
• rave
• enshrinement
• exaltation
• glorification
• rhapsody
• elevation
• enthronement
• kudo
• note

4

as in award

something given in recognition of achievement

has received several honors from the Boy Scouts for his many years of service

Synonyms & Similar Words

• award
• prize
• accolade
• trophy
• medal
• premium
• decoration
• distinction
• badge
• blue ribbon
• plume
• tribute
• kudo
• homage
• plaque
• applause
• ribbon
• plate
• crown
• cup
• eulogy
• laurel
• order
• commendation
• paean
• encomium
• compliment
• panegyric
• honorable mention
• plaudit
• citation
• bravo
• hallelujah

5

as in privilege

something granted as a special favor

it will be an honor for me to show your aunt around the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• privilege
• concession
• appanage
• boon
• prerogative
• grant
• courtesy
• entitlement
• right
• claim
• exemption
• waiver
• immunity
• birthright
• charter
• patent
• perquisite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• duty
• responsibility
• obligation
• burden

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun honor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of honor are honesty, integrity, and probity. While all these words mean "uprightness of character or action," honor suggests an active or anxious regard for the standards of one's profession, calling, or position.

Where would honesty be a reasonable alternative to honor?

The words honesty and honor can be used in similar contexts, but honesty implies a refusal to lie, steal, or deceive in any way.

When would integrity be a good substitute for honor?

While the synonyms integrity and honor are close in meaning, integrity implies trustworthiness and incorruptibility to a degree that one is incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility, or pledge.

When is probity a more appropriate choice than honor?

The meanings of probity and honor largely overlap; however, probity implies tried and proven honesty or integrity.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of honor

Verb

The City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy were honored for their restoration of the Valley River Refuge Shelter at Riverview Park, a project that updated the shelter without stripping it of its history. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Employees receive personal leave that honors cultural life, including time for ceremonies like Sundance, and Albert advocated with donors so scholars can step away for cultural obligations without losing their funding. — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Noun

Like a referee being selected to officiate the World Cup final, being given the honor of the Tour de France, with other colleagues allocated different events, is the honor of a career. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Several Ramona residents earned academic honors and degrees from colleges and universities across the country. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026

Phrases Containing honor

• field of honor