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
As a sophomore, he was named a Star-Telegram All-Area honorable mention.
—
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2025
Copper: The Metal of the Future Though not a precious metal, copper deserves an honorable mention.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Baron had a strong season and was an All-ACC honorable mention.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Not only did Williams not make it on the top 10 list, but he was not even given an honorable mention.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2025
Copper: The Metal of the Future Though not a precious metal, copper deserves an honorable mention.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Baron had a strong season and was an All-ACC honorable mention.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Not only did Williams not make it on the top 10 list, but he was not even given an honorable mention.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorable mention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honorable mention
Noun
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The award recognizes breakthrough innovations in agricultural engineering that improve efficiency, sustainability and productivity.—
Richard Bishop,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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State officials who spoke to CNN for this story say they were given no explanation for why the awards were reduced or increased this cycle.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Oval Beach often receives accolades as one of the best beaches in Michigan.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
13 July 2025
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Mayer previously ran the Mentors at Cordova High program and was awarded the 2012 Rancho Cordovan of the Year accolade.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Those comparisons to Thunberg, the 22-year-old Swedish activist who captured the world’s attention with her school strike for climate protests as a teenager, might not always have been designed as a compliment, but FitzGerald embraces them.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Honorable mention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honorable%20mention. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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