medal

noun

ˈme-dᵊl How to pronounce medal (audio)
Definition of medalnext
as in decoration
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement the display case held an impressive array of military medals from World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of medal His international demonstrations between winning gold and silver swimming medals at the 1912, 1920 and 1924 Olympics made surfing widely known. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 The California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees high school athletics, also revised its rules to ensure that transgender athletes in individual sports do not displace cisgender ones from rankings or medal podiums. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 However, the medals, photographs and awards hung in the hall tell an extraordinary story of a life spent never far from danger in the mountains. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 The prestigious honor consists of a medal, diploma and about $1 million. — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for medal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for medal
  1. decoration
  2. insignia
  3. trophy
  4. medallion
Noun
  • His decorations included the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal and the Army Achievement Medal, each with one oak leaf cluster.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Christmas decorations linger into summer, and grasses grow high through rusting cars.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of decoration
Noun
  • The garment included epaulets for displaying insignia, D-rings for attaching military equipment, and a storm shield to shed rain.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The vehicle appeared to have multiple lights and a front bumper with a police-like insignia on it.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of insignia
Noun
  • There was supposed to be more champagne, a trophy to raise, and the first World Series three-peat by a National League team to jot down in the history books.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Smart bets say yes, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other songs worthy of the trophy this year.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of trophy
Noun
  • The suspects took the man's watch, two silver chains and a medallion, Philadelphia Police Capt.
    — Laura Fay, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Combs idolized his father, Melvin, wearing his portrait on a medallion around his neck; Christian treats his father with the same reverence.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of medallion

Browse Nearby Words

mechanizing
medal
medalist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/medal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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