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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 honorable mention
Howard Sampson, Texas Tech Breakdown: One of the many high profile transfer additions for the Red Raiders, Sampson was an honorable mention All-ACC pick after his lone season at North Carolina.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
China Camp State Park earned an honorable mention for best picnic spot.
—Krissy Waite, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
An Alabama native, Robinson earned honorable mention for the All-Big 12 team in 2024.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
The Society of American Business Editors and Writers awarded two of his stories with honorable mentions in 2019 and named White House, Inc. one of the best business books of the year in 2021.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
China Camp State Park earned an honorable mention for best picnic spot.
—Krissy Waite, Mercury News, 19 May 2025
An Alabama native, Robinson earned honorable mention for the All-Big 12 team in 2024.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
The Society of American Business Editors and Writers awarded two of his stories with honorable mentions in 2019 and named White House, Inc. one of the best business books of the year in 2021.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
-
The performance airs one night before the Great White Way's annual awards show.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
His recent credits include Ben Affleck’s Air for Amazon Studios, Surrounded for MGM and festival standouts like Nine Days and The Birth of a Nation, the latter of which won both the grand jury prize and audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite his athletic accolades, Jones’ post-retirement years—and even much of his playing career—have been marked by frequent legal trouble.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 June 2025
-
The 30-year-old was awarded a litany of individual accolades for his performances this season.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Fans were quick to flood the comments section with compliments.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
-
From compliments via text to aesthetically pleasing coffee dates, your thoughts are like poetry in motion, drawing lovers closer with every exchange.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share