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Honorable mention

n. joyful, capable professional

What it means

Formal recognition for work judged worthy of notice without receiving a main award.

Reach for it when describing a specific level of recognition accurately

Her first short story received an honorable mention from the regional judges.

Words to choose between 6

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
warm
professional
formal

  • everyday

    runner-up recognition

    Fits when the recipient placed close behind a winner

    Careful This category does not place the recipient second unless the rules say so.

  • warm

    acknowledgment

    Fits when contribution deserves recognition without competition language

    Careful Acknowledgment can be informal and may not reflect a judging decision.

  • professional

    merit award

    Fits when documented quality earns a named award

    Careful A merit award may be a full prize, while honorable mention is normally secondary recognition.

  • professional

    special mention

    Fits when judges single out worthy work outside the main prizes

    Careful Special mention can follow different rules and should not replace the award's official wording.

  • formal

    citation

    Fits when a written statement records the reason for recognition

    Careful Citation can mean a legal notice, academic reference, or award text rather than the recognition itself.

  • formal

    commendation

    Fits when an authority formally praises merit or service

    Careful A commendation can be a principal honor and need not indicate placement below an award.

Opposites 3

  • disqualification
  • rejection
  • no recognition

Common phrases 3

  • receive an honorable mention

    Two student teams received an honorable mention for accessible design.

  • earn an honorable mention

    The essay earned an honorable mention without being ranked second.

  • honorable mention award

    The honorable mention award includes written feedback from the panel.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Use the awarding body's exact category; honorable mention does not automatically mean runner-up or finalist.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Commander Keane, Australian accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated