honorable

honorable 1 Honorable, honorary are sometimes not clearly distinguished.

Honorable commonly applies to something which is worthy of honor (as in being noble, high-minded, or highly commendable)

{

an honorable calling

}

{

honorable service

}

It is also used as a prefix to the names of some persons of distinction (as members of Congress or of Parliament, mayors, and certain scions of the nobility) and as a merely courteous appellation in speaking of an opponent in a debate or controversy

{

my honorable colleague says . . .

}

Honorary regularly and honorable occasionally apply to what is conferred, awarded, or given as an honor

{

an honorary degree

}

{

honorable mention

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{

an honorary title

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Honorary, but not honorable, is also used before a title of an office which is held without emolument or without responsibility for services

{

the honorary president of a society

}

{

an honorary pallbearer

}

Analogous words: respected, esteemed, admired (see corresponding verbs under REGARD n): illustrious, eminent (see FAMOUS)

2 *upright, just, scrupulous, conscientious, honest

Analogous words: trustworthy, *reliable, dependable: noble, virtuous, righteous, *moral, ethical

Antonyms: dishonorable