as in award
recognition given to someone who has done something extremely well but who has not won the top honor
They didn't win the science fair competition but were pleased to receive an honorable mention.
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Recent Examples of honorable mention
Certainly for the rookies, there has to be honorable mentions handed out for HBO’s Robert Downey Jr-filled The Sympathizer, Hulu’s Queenie and the touching and hilarious How to Die Alone.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
The Chicago Bears organization named Johnson, a quarterback, honorable mention on its all-state flag football team this fall in the first season the Illinois High School Association sanctioned the sport.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
In what is listed as his junior year in 2023-24, Wade averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds per game at Stanislaus State (D-II) and earned conference honorable mention.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Jan. 2025
In a further new development, The Nordic Series Awards will include an honorable mention, the Creative Courage Award, which celebrates the producer and commissioner of a series that boldly pushes creative boundaries and embraces innovation.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for honorable mention 
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
The Chicago Bears organization named Johnson, a quarterback, honorable mention on its all-state flag football team this fall in the first season the Illinois High School Association sanctioned the sport.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
In what is listed as his junior year in 2023-24, Wade averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds per game at Stanislaus State (D-II) and earned conference honorable mention.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Jan. 2025
In a further new development, The Nordic Series Awards will include an honorable mention, the Creative Courage Award, which celebrates the producer and commissioner of a series that boldly pushes creative boundaries and embraces innovation.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
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The 2021 film, which received a limited release due to the pandemic, won the best film award at the BFI London Film Festival for its portrayal of an Iranian roadtrip.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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The only other was John Elway, who won the award over first-team All-Pro Joe Montana in 1987.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Tucson was the first stateside city to become a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy, an accolade that nods to its more than four millennia of food culture that merges the tastes of many different groups, including Native American and modern Mexican.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
7 Feb. 2025
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The seven-part stalker drama, created by and starring Richard Gadd, was a standout at this past year’s Emmys, with additional awards won in Outstanding Limited Series and Writing for a Limited Series, and also brought Gunning a Golden Globe, among other accolades.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There are times, in professional settings, when a compliment on it might work out.—
R. Eric Thomas,
The Denver Post,
9 Feb. 2025
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An idea that comes out of left field is unexpected, if not unwelcome, and a left-handed compliment tends to hurt.—
Megan Marshall,
The New Yorker,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near honorable mention
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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