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

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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

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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

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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 recognized

Verb

Kenya has until recently been widely recognized for rebuilding its elephant population from historic lows to more than 36,000 individuals by reducing poaching and protecting elephants. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards recognized several standout properties, with Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, earning the top spot among international wellness retreats for more than a decade. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026 The Taurus Moon conjoins Chiron in your 2nd House of Resources, bringing up sensitivity around money, pricing, effort, or whether your value is being recognized. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 The district has recognized 19 struggling campuses, naming them as ELEVATE campuses, that need help improving grades. — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 Instead, massive stars may reach similar-looking explosions through a wider variety of pathways than astronomers previously recognized. — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Five finalists — who must be SONA members to be considered — will be recognized, with the recipient announced live at the Annual SONA Awards on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 The embassy also recognized the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, Colombia’s National Police and Peru’s National Police for their roles in the investigation. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Around the world, social connection is increasingly recognized as essential to individual and collective well-being. — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognized

Adjective

Convinced no good men exist in her country, Naru is caught off guard when Qodrat, Kabul TV’s most respected journalist, gives her a career opportunity.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
In this cynical age, our local registrars of voters, usually one from each party, remain respected public officials.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of respected

Verb

The show also featured poignant video tributes to Peart and original drummer John Rutsey, ensuring their legacies were honored.

— David Chiu, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The Orioles, who entered the day 1 1/2 games behind the final wild card in the American League, honored slugger Chris Davis, pitcher Storm Davis and scout Jim Russo as new members of the team's Hall of Fame before the game.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of honored

Adjective

For a standard Republican candidate, a hypothetical best-case scenario is a respectable loss in November.

— Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
While all respectable in their own right, there are additional haunts along and beyond the Front Range still serving cold ones today — and some are said to be just that, haunted.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026

Definition of respectable

Verb

However, if the judge doesn’t lean their way, LCDS argued that victims still can’t argue that the school knew the images existed or intentionally helped facilitate their spread, which the school thinks should be fatal.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
During that time, Welch knew the woman and her daughter had expired tourist visas but faked a variety of records to convince them otherwise.

— Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of knew

Adjective

Former Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans has been appointed to serve as a justice for an Illinois appeals court, securing a prestigious judgeship nearly a year after he was unseated as the top Cook County jurist.

— Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Shapiro has been named the next Richard Rodgers dean and director of the drama division at the prestigious school, taking over starting in July 2027.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of prestigious

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recognize

recognized

recognizes

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“Recognized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognized. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of recognized

adjective

verb

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