consolation prizes
Awards for losing
Consolation prizes are awards given to competitors who didn't win—a token acknowledgment of participation or near-success.
The term extends to anything offered as compensation when you can't have what you really wanted: The job went to someone else, but they offered me a consulting gig as a consolation prize.
The phrase often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting the substitute is markedly inferior to the real thing.
- runner-upCompetition's silver finisher
- awardHonor given for merit
- tokensCurrency substitutes
- participation trophyAward for mere involvement
- parting giftsItems given at departure
silver medals · consolations · certificate · ribbon · voucher · symbolic gestures · honorable mention · recognition · competitions · acknowledgment · solace · medal · motivation · encouragement · souvenir · gift card · sportsmanship · morale
- giftsgift, gifts, present, presents, gift boxes
- bingo suppliesbingo card, bingo cards, bingo dauber, bingo chips, dauber
consolation prizesgrand prize
Highest contest award
first prize · gold medal · top prize · first place · championship
consolation prizestriumph
Resounding, celebrated victory
glory · crowning achievement · vindication · bragging rights
consolation, prize, console, consoling, consoled, consoles, consolable, inconsolable, prizes