RECOGNIZED Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

recognized 1 of 2

adjective

as in respected

having a good reputation especially in a field of knowledge recognized experts on stem cell research

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recognized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of recognize

as in understood

to have a clear idea of finally recognized that we were hopelessly lost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honored

to show appreciation, respect, or affection for (someone) with a public celebration an awards banquet to recognize local heroes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 recognized

Verb

The American Academy of Pediatrics had recognized it as an acceptable approach since 2016. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026 When hunger strikes, head to Dénia, a city recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy. — Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Barbera told Italian newspaper La Repubblica in a filmed interview on Wednesday, as the festival kicked off, that such a move was impossible because Palestine was not officially recognized as a state by Italy. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 Plant closures take a while to be realized on the company's balance sheet, with the optimizations announced in November only being recognized in the third-quarter earnings report in August. — Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2026 Previously identified as Elaphe obsoleta, the species is now recognized as Pantherophis obsoletus. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 The last time was July 1985 when George Brett and Brett Saberhagen were recognized by the league. — Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 From animal welfare advocates and public servants to working and therapy animals, the honorees will be recognized at the ASPCA’s annual Humane Awards in New York City. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Many university students have turned the ROI factor into the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers, and many of the top ranking schools were recognized for their STEM programs. — Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognized

Adjective

Anchoring coverage since 2013, Rebecca Lowe has become a respected voice from Premier League mornings to Olympic and World Cup broadcasts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Producers who dedicated much of their careers to Love Productions, the respected company wholly acquired by Sky in 2020.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of respected

Verb

The memorandum of understanding that was reached in June called for a ceasefire that has been honored in the breach.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
For King, The American Legion volunteers’ clean-up efforts honored the veterans buried at the cemetery and showed him those individuals have not been forgotten.

— Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of honored

Verb

With the amount of firepower that Geneva graduated from last year’s lineup, senior forward Gabe Barwiolek knew the burden to score was going to fall upon his shoulders.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The grand jury said then-state Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office knew of the plans to divert the money.

— Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of knew

Adjective

Our distinguished community of musical-theater actors deserves greater challenges and if theaters don’t train audiences to take a risk on newer material, its embrace will be yet harder in generations to come.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Satsky’s attorney, Robert Anello of New York, told The Charlotte Observer Tuesday that his client has a distinguished 30-year career in finance and an unblemished reputation for integrity.

— Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Karp chaired Paul Weiss, one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, for years before being forced to step down in February over his connections to Epstein.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
Last year’s Venice Film Festival saw the premiere of Jay Kelly, in which George Clooney plays a movie star who travels to Italy to get a lifetime-achievement award from a prestigious film festival.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Browse Nearby Words

recognize

recognized

recognizes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Recognized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognized. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of recognized

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes