awarders

Those bestowing honors

Awarders are those who give out awards, prizes, or honors.

The term appears most often in formal or institutional contexts—grant awarders, scholarship awarders, contest awarders: The awarders will announce their decision next week.

It's a functional word, rarely used when a more specific term like judges or committee fits better.

benefactors

donors

People who give gifts

sponsorsFunders seeking promotion
patronsRegular supporters or customers
philanthropistsGenerous supporters of good causes

backers · supporters · contributors · grantors · underwriters · financiers · beneficiaries · angels · champions · advocates

granters

judges

Legal proceeding overseers

committeesGroups delegated specific duties
panelsFlat rectangular sections
foundationsStructural bases below ground

organizations · institutions · boards · selectors · evaluators · administrators · officials · academies · societies · councils

recognition

honors

Recognition for achievement

commendationsFormal expressions of approval
accoladesFormal expressions of praise
distinctionsRecognized differences between things

tributes · acknowledgments · citations · praise · kudos · appreciation · laurels · salutes · plaudits · credit

prizes

medals

Awards for achievement

trophiesPrizes for achievement
ribbonsNarrow fabric strips
titlesNames of creative works

decorations · plaques · cups · shields · statuettes · rosettes · badges · crowns · sashes · laurels

Opposites

giver-receiver role

awardersrecipients

Those who receive

awardees · receivers · winners · honorees · grantees

authority-supplicant role

awardersapplicants

Those seeking acceptance

nominees · candidates · contestants · competitors · entrants

Phrases

damages awardedMoney ordered paid for harm

Family

awarded, awarder

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G