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
Scharrer signed with the Braves despite being named a USA Today All-American honorable mention selection as a linebacker, and being offered a full baseball scholarship to Clemson University.
—
Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The undrafted junior earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors this season.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The junior earned all-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2025 and was fourth on the team with 56 total tackles.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
In that national vote, Ejiofor was recognized as only an honorable mention.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The undrafted junior earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors this season.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The junior earned all-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2025 and was fourth on the team with 56 total tackles.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
In that national vote, Ejiofor was recognized as only an honorable mention.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
-
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow break down these questions and more in the latest episode of Processing Blue, an award-winning podcast about all things Panthers.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For business owners, Townshend’s bold decision and ensuing success, including among other accolades a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s, offers an instructive guide to self-belief.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
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Today, Morales is not only selling raw cacao to Cortés but also winning international accolades.—
Sandra Guzman,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That these last few years have been appropriately characterized as disappointing is a compliment to the 20 that preceded it.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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Reviewers, who cite receiving frequent compliments when sporting the style, say the shoes have ample arch support and are easy to put on.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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