Garland

v.joyful, kindliterary

Meaning 1

To decorate a person or place with a chain of flowers, leaves, or similar ornaments.

Reach for it when describing festive decoration that frames or honors its subject

Children garlanded the doorway with paper flowers.

playful
festoon
loops of decoration are abundant and conspicuous
not when Festoon can suggest excess where the arrangement is restrained.
everyday
decorate
plain language should cover any added ornament
not when Decorate is broader and loses the floral or honorific image.
literary
adorn
decoration improves a subject without covering it
not when Adorn does not imply the encircling form or ceremonial feeling of a garland.
literary
wreathe
flowers or foliage surround the subject
not when Wreathe is uncommon and can also describe smoke or mist.

To honor someone with praise, prizes, or visible distinctions.

Reach for it when describing recognition layered generously upon an achievement

The festival garlanded the young director with three audience awards.

warm
celebrate
public appreciation is more important than formal status
not when Celebrate may involve no award or distinction at all.
formal
honor
recognition matters more than its decorative image
not when Honor is direct but loses the sense of multiple visible accolades.
literary
crown
the honor marks a culminating victory
not when Crown implies the highest or final distinction, which one award may not be.

garland with flowers
Neighbors garland the gate with flowers before the procession.
garland the doorway
Volunteers garland the doorway in green and gold.
garlanded with awards
The debut was garlanded with awards from regional juries.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.