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Synonyms

honorable mention

American  

noun

  1. a citation conferred on a contestant, exhibit, etc., having exceptional merit though not winning a top honor or prize.

Etymology

Origin of honorable mention

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Coogler’s film did not earn even an honorable mention in Variety’s year-end list compiled by critics Peter Debruge and Owen Gleiberman.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

With another team, he shared an honorable mention by the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting for a series on key counties in swing states.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Jesse is part of a WSJ team that won a Sabew honorable mention for coverage of America’s rising grocery prices in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Here are 10 prolific pens that deserved an honorable mention.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

Pua’s collage earns an honorable mention, as does Nalu’s drawing of Narnia.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.