as in decorations
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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Recent Examples of medals
Biles, winner of 41 Olympics and world-competition medals, posted a photo of a trio of wristbands of the type issued to patients at hospitals.
—
Dennis Romero, NBC news, 7 June 2026
Mullin awarded the officers medals for their heroic actions during the attack, when a sniper fired 17 shots from a nearby rooftop at the Dallas facility.
—Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
This Hall of Fame player is the only golfer in modern Olympic history to win a complete set of medals — gold, silver and bronze — across three different Olympic Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The company’s founder, Chinese gymnast Li Ning, won three gold medals — and six medals total — at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, the first Olympics in which the People’s Republic of China sent a full delegation after the nation’s 1949 revolution.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Benson became the first athlete from the school to collect medals in three events at the state finals.
—Gqlshare, Daily News, 1 June 2026
The judging panels awarded Silver, Gold, and, for the standouts, Master medals to spirits that meet a very high benchmark for balance, purity, and category character.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Showing the section’s depth, eight athletes grabbed third-place medals — three coming later in the evening.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
After the game, Brewer players, many of which were in tears, exchanged hugs while receiving their second place medals.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2026
Dennis Romero, NBC news, 7 June 2026
Mullin awarded the officers medals for their heroic actions during the attack, when a sniper fired 17 shots from a nearby rooftop at the Dallas facility.
—Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
This Hall of Fame player is the only golfer in modern Olympic history to win a complete set of medals — gold, silver and bronze — across three different Olympic Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The company’s founder, Chinese gymnast Li Ning, won three gold medals — and six medals total — at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, the first Olympics in which the People’s Republic of China sent a full delegation after the nation’s 1949 revolution.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Benson became the first athlete from the school to collect medals in three events at the state finals.
—Gqlshare, Daily News, 1 June 2026
The judging panels awarded Silver, Gold, and, for the standouts, Master medals to spirits that meet a very high benchmark for balance, purity, and category character.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Showing the section’s depth, eight athletes grabbed third-place medals — three coming later in the evening.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
After the game, Brewer players, many of which were in tears, exchanged hugs while receiving their second place medals.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for medals
Noun
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Vows unfold against sweeping views of downtown Phoenix and the red rock of Papago, so decorations can stay minimal.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
31 May 2026
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And throughout the cruise, Joie de Vivre, with its chic salons inspired by 20th-century Parisian design and all decked out in festive decorations, anchored the experience in an undeniable sense of place.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
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That is the standard set for bringing weapons and cellphones into a secure area, safeguarding department property, monitoring the radio, misusing department letterhead, badges or insignia, secondary employment violations, and recommending bondsmen or attorneys to inmates.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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Additionally, writings are visible on a gun, including drawings of SS bolts and neo-Nazi insignias, sources said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Our guide, Walter, and our wildlife spotter, Howard, both deserve trophies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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The club and incoming head coach Jose Mourinho agree on the need to strengthen the squad after two seasons in a row without winning any major trophies.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Echo’s first launch with a Premier League club will commemorate historic Arsenal matches from their first Premier League title-winning season since 2004 through silver ($500-$750 each) and gold medallions.—
Benjamin Burrows,
New York Times,
20 May 2026
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As for less-invasive bedroom ceiling upgrade options, Cunningham recommends faux beams, tongue-and-groove ceilings, limewash paint, or simple medallions around light fixtures.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Medals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/medals. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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