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Honor

v. thoughtful, kind warm

What it means

Meaning 1

To show deep respect or public appreciation for someone or something.

Reach for it when recognizing service, memory, identity, or achievement through a fitting action

The concert will honor the volunteers who rebuilt the rehearsal hall.

Meaning 2

To keep or fulfill an agreement, promise, or obligation.

Reach for it when stressing dependable follow-through on a stated commitment

The landlord agreed to honor every lease through the renovation.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
warm
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: To show deep respect or public appreciation for someone or something.

  • everyday

    respect

    Fits when considerate regard should guide present treatment

    Careful Respect can remain private and need not involve an honoring act.

  • warm

    celebrate

    Fits when joyful public recognition is appropriate

    Careful Celebration can center the occasion rather than the person being honored.

  • professional

    recognize

    Fits when a contribution should be formally acknowledged

    Careful Recognition may be brief or procedural and carry little reverence.

  • formal

    commemorate

    Fits when a person or event from the past is being remembered

    Careful Commemorate usually concerns memory and is odd for a living person's current work.

  • literary

    pay tribute to

    Fits when expressive admiration suits a speech or dedication

    Careful A tribute praises but may not respect the subject's actual wishes.

Meaning 2: To keep or fulfill an agreement, promise, or obligation.

  • everyday

    keep

    Fits when plain language suits a promise or commitment

    Careful Keep needs a clear object and lacks the institutional assurance of honor.

  • professional

    fulfill

    Fits when meeting the stated obligation is the essential fact

    Careful Fulfill is broader and can refer to goals or potential rather than an agreement.

  • formal

    uphold

    Fits when continued support for a principle or guarantee matters

    Careful Uphold suggests defense over time, not simply completing one promise.

Opposites 4

  • disrespect
  • dishonor
  • break
  • renege on

Common phrases 3

  • honor a legacy

    The new scholarship will honor a legacy of practical teaching.

  • honor the memory

    They planted native oaks to honor the memory of lost neighbors.

  • honor a commitment

    The publisher chose to honor a commitment made before the merger.

Word family 1

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated