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
Over a 27-year career, he was deployed to the Middle East and South America and earned the Legion of Merit and nine combat medals as a fighter pilot.
—
Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
Ronald and Nellie have been a constant source of encouragement for Simone, who has competed on the national stage at the highest level, including winning four medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
—Matthew Acosta, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Galvan's worn medals, held trophies, but the Millikan High School senior wants a new accessory to one day show her future children.
—Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Kagiyama beat his personal-best free skate score but still had to make do with a fourth career world championship silver in a career which includes four Olympic silvers and five total worlds medals, but no gold from either event.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Sakamoto never won Olympic gold but leaves with four career Olympic medals including team and individual silvers from the Milan Cortina Olympics.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Leland High students Isabell Gonzalez and Isabel Zuck earned medals in human services and industrial and engineering technology, respectively, while Lincoln High was represented by Maximus Ramirez in cyber security and Kaitlyn Roberts in the prepared speech category.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Manchester City A lot of Brentford fans wanted to see former players David Raya and Christian Norgaard with winners' medals.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The coin is expected to join a slate of special-edition currencies and medals the treasury is releasing for the nation's semiquincentennial year, including the separate $1 Trump coin the Fine Arts commission approved in January.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
Ronald and Nellie have been a constant source of encouragement for Simone, who has competed on the national stage at the highest level, including winning four medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
—Matthew Acosta, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Galvan's worn medals, held trophies, but the Millikan High School senior wants a new accessory to one day show her future children.
—Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Kagiyama beat his personal-best free skate score but still had to make do with a fourth career world championship silver in a career which includes four Olympic silvers and five total worlds medals, but no gold from either event.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Sakamoto never won Olympic gold but leaves with four career Olympic medals including team and individual silvers from the Milan Cortina Olympics.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Leland High students Isabell Gonzalez and Isabel Zuck earned medals in human services and industrial and engineering technology, respectively, while Lincoln High was represented by Maximus Ramirez in cyber security and Kaitlyn Roberts in the prepared speech category.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Manchester City A lot of Brentford fans wanted to see former players David Raya and Christian Norgaard with winners' medals.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
The coin is expected to join a slate of special-edition currencies and medals the treasury is releasing for the nation's semiquincentennial year, including the separate $1 Trump coin the Fine Arts commission approved in January.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for medals
Noun
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Shoppers can also find mini refrigerators and even Christmas decorations.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Hallways between classrooms were adorned with decorations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military chaplains would no longer display their rank insignia.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
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That man did not have any insignia identifying him as an ICE agent.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The storied program has also advanced to nine straight Northern California title games, with seven wins, and claimed 12 consecutive Oakland Athletic League trophies.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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Over the last eight seasons, no team has won more trophies or played in more CONCACAF finals than LAFC.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tommy Aaron served beef medallions at the Masters Champions Dinner in 1974.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Measuring around 36-by-29 feet, the intricate tilework included 35 medallions featuring various arena scenes.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Medals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/medals. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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