medal

noun

ˈme-dᵊl How to pronounce medal (audio)
Definition of medalnext
as in decoration
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement the display case held an impressive array of military medals from World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 medal This week’s photographs include a public tour of serial killer Dorothea Puente’s former home and medals for the 319th Expeditionary Signal Battalion. — Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026 Orangewood was rewarded with a championship trophy and banner for its school, plus medals and Sunshine State Invitational shirts for its players. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 Like the medals stripped from an Olympian found guilty of doping, these Emmys must be taken away. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Spatola was also a court coach for gold-medal-winning USA teams at the 2008 Olympics and 2010 FIBA World Championship. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for medal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for medal
  1. decoration
  2. insignia
  3. trophy
  4. medallion
Noun
  • Panels also featured decorations that included hearts, rainbows, sequins, a Star of David, a chef’s hat, a chorus line of dancers, teddy bears, and a panda.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The question was how much decoration Chloé‘s promise of easy dressing could comfortably carry.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of decoration
Noun
  • Russia could also deploy a limited number of troops, possibly without national insignia, into NATO countries on its border, the DDIS said.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • However, there is an interlocking NY insignia on his plaque in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of insignia
Noun
  • Alcaraz played in the Laver Cup last week, helping Europe claim the trophy with a singles win over Taylor Fritz.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Pike, 18 at the time and now 50, kept a fragment of Slemmer's skull as a trophy and showed it off to classmates before her arrest.
    — Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of trophy
Noun
  • Combs idolized his father, Melvin, wearing his portrait on a medallion around his neck; Christian treats his father with the same reverence.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Encrusted with four dainty rubies, the medallion is engraved with Kelce’s jersey number, 87.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of medallion

Browse Nearby Words

mechanizing
medal
medalist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/medal. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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