honorable mention
Almost-winner's consolation prize
Honorable mention is recognition given to work that didn't win but deserved acknowledgment: She received an honorable mention in the essay contest.
It sits just below the official winners—not quite a prize, but more than nothing.
The term appears in competitions, awards ceremonies, and academic contexts where judges want to recognize quality beyond the top spots.
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- consolation prizeAward for losing participants
- nice tryIronic concession to failure
- citationMention of a source
- praiseExpression of approval
accolade · shortlist · finalist · recognition · distinction · merit · near miss · so close · acknowledgment · award · kudos · laurels · merit award · notable · appreciation · certificate · almost · promising
- art competitionsart contest, art festival, grand prize, best in show
- awardsaward, awards, winner, winners, prize
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
- art contestsart contests, art prizes, design competitions, art competitions, design awards
- arts awardsart prize, grand prize, gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal
honorable mentionfirst place
Winning position
gold medal · winner · grand prize · champion · first prize
honorable mentiondishonorable discharge
Punitive military separation
unmentioned · overlooked · snubbed · ignored · forgotten
honorable mentiondisqualification
Removal from eligibility
unranked · unacknowledged · overlooked · passed over · also-ran
honor, mention, honorable, mentioned, mentioning, mentions, honorably, unmentioned, mentionable