honor

1. noun

1)

a man of honor

Syn:

integrity, honesty, uprightness, ethics, morals, morality, principles, high principles, righteousness, high-mindedness; virtue, goodness, decency, probity, character, good character, scrupulousness, worth, fairness, justness, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability

Ant:

unscrupulousness, dishonor

2)

a mark of honor

Syn:

distinction, recognition, privilege, glory, kudos, cachet, prestige, merit, credit; importance, illustriousness, notability; respect, esteem, approbation

Ant:

disgrace

3)

our honor is at stake

Syn:

reputation, name, good name, good credit, character, esteem, repute, image, standing, stature, status, popularity

4)

he was welcomed with honor

Syn:

acclaim, acclamation, applause, accolades, adoration, tributes, compliments, salutes, bouquets; homage, praise, veneration, glory, reverence, adulation, exaltation; dated laud

Ant:

contempt

5)

she had the honor of meeting the first lady

Syn:

privilege, pleasure, pride, joy; compliment, favor, distinction

Ant:

shame

6)

military honors

Syn:

accolade, award, reward, prize, decoration, distinction, medal, ribbon, star, laurel

7) dated

she died defending her honor

Syn:

chastity, virginity, maidenhead, purity, innocence, modesty; archaic virtue, maidenhood

2. verb

1)

we should honor our parents

Syn:

esteem, respect, admire, defer to, look up to; appreciate, value, cherish, adore; reverence, revere, venerate, worship; informal put on a pedestal

Ant:

disrespect

2)

they were honored at a special ceremony

Syn:

applaud, acclaim, praise, salute, recognize, celebrate, commemorate, commend, hail, lionize, exalt, eulogize, pay homage to, pay tribute to, sing the praises of; formal laud

Ant:

disgrace, criticize

3)

he honored the contract

Syn:

fulfill, observe, keep, obey, heed, follow, carry out, discharge, implement, execute, effect; keep to, abide by, adhere to, comply with, conform to, be true to, live up to

Ant:

disobey

••

honor, deference, homage, obeisance, reverence

The Ten Commandments instruct us to "Honor thy father and mother." But what does honor entail? While all of these nouns describe the respect or esteem that one shows to another, honor implies acknowledgment of a person's right to such respect (honor one's ancestors; honor the dead). Homage is honor with praise or tributes added, and it connotes a more worshipful attitude (pay homage to the king). Reverence combines profound respect with love or devotion (he treated his wife with reverence), while deference suggests courteous regard for a superior, often by yielding to the person's status or wishes ( show deference to one's elders). Obeisance is a show of honor or reverence by an act or gesture of submission or humility, such as a bow or a curtsy (the schoolchildren were instructed to pay obeisance when the Queen arrived).