kudo

noun

ˈkü-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce kudo (audio)
Definition of kudonext
1
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement an honorary degree from her alma mater that is simply the latest kudo for an outstanding career in journalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in compliment
an admiring personal remark a kudo is in order for the way the young people acquitted themselves at their first formal dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kudo Her performance has been garnering critical raves and the kudos are well-deserved. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026 Sacramento State’s annual Rising Stars was a two-day whirlwind marathon of drills and activity that played out on several grass fields near Hornet Stadium, and it was deemed a rousing success, from the weather to the effort to the kudos. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026 Promotions, kudos and awards will put you in the spotlight. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 June 2026 Also deserving of kudos are the memorable characterizations of Sally Wingert and Em Adam Rosenberg, the simple yet imaginatively employed set of Benjamin Olsen, Sarah Bahr’s costumes and the high-energy choreography of Joey Miller. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kudo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kudo
  1. award
  2. compliment
  3. prize
  4. tribute
  5. accolade
  6. commendation
Noun
  • Unfortunately for American enthusiasts, this award-winning £59 expression was a UK-exclusive release for the annual Campbeltown Malts Festival.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Attendees willenjoy panel discussions with award-winning authors, activities, live entertainment, exhibitors including local authors, and independent booksellers.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of award
Noun
  • Russell says, as if considering how seriously to take the compliment.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The compliment magnet has top notes of refreshing, juicy pear, a feminine freesia heart, and deep, sensual patchouli base.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliment
Noun
  • Players have been discarded, standards raised and difficult calls made in pursuit of a team capable of winning the biggest prizes.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • No one won the Powerball jackpot or the $2 million Match 5 + Power Play prize, but one lucky person in Florida won the $1 million Match 5 prize.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of prize
Noun
  • So much so that updates about them often came in the form of birthday tributes from both Coigney and Mark.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The track’s tribute was among the highlights of a homecoming weekend for Hamlin, who grew up about 20 minutes from the track.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribute
Noun
  • The role also earned him Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG award and Critics Choice Award nominations, among other accolades.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In an independent sector where even experienced filmmakers struggle to finance their next project, these are hardly ornamental accolades.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of accolade
Noun
  • The novel earned commendations from authors such as Salman Rushdie and Amitav Ghosh.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • His contributions to Japanese cinema earned him the 2004 Kawakita Prize and a commendation from Japan’s Foreign Ministry in 2008.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2026
Definition of commendation

Browse Nearby Words

kraits
kudo
kudos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kudo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kudo. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All