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

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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 Our testers named this one of our favorite curling irons, and major kudos were given to the device’s lightweight nature, easy-to-use design, and safe-on-hair Coanda technology. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Also, kudos to the Bulls for basically selling both their second-round picks. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 June 2026 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 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
  • The All-America receivers entered Week 1 with the shortest BetMGM odds (+1500) among non-quarterbacks to win college football’s most prestigious individual award.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The glamorous resort is set along the beach with two oceanfront pools, a private beach, and an award-winning spa.
    — Megan duBois, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of award
Noun
  • The pages in between, all 650-plus of them, read like Colson Whitehead on acid, and that is meant as a compliment from this privileged white middle-aged woman.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Scheffler also handed out a huge compliment to Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee during his post-victory sit-down with the network.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliment
Noun
  • Building on this recognition, the winner of the Busan Award – Best Film, the top prize in BIFF’s Competition section, now qualifies for submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Leslie McIntosh, within-group variance (Changes) Changes’ first/second book prize, launched in 2022 with Louise Gluck as the first judge, has already delivered gems such as Jimin Seo’s Ossia and Rachel Mannheimer’s Earth Room.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of prize
Noun
  • But the love enduring at their center feels so profoundly misguided that even this extravagant tribute, arriving more than 150 years later, cannot entirely defend it.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a tribute to Kieślowski’s Dekalog at the end of this movie.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of tribute
Noun
  • OutKick Dropkick asked Jordan in a recent interview what the accolades meant to her.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • His accolades also include a Grammy nomination for Kx5, his collaboration with producer deadmau5.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of accolade
Noun
  • The result was lines out the door, a local political commendation, and a business that converted attention into revenue in a way most post-villa deals never manage.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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