kudo

noun

ˈkü-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce kudo (audio)
Definition of kudonext
1
as in award
something given in recognition of achievement an honorary degree from her alma mater that is simply the latest kudo for an outstanding career in journalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in compliment
an admiring personal remark a kudo is in order for the way the young people acquitted themselves at their first formal dance

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 kudo Our testers named this one of our favorite curling irons, and major kudos were given to the device’s lightweight nature, easy-to-use design, and safe-on-hair Coanda technology. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Also, kudos to the Bulls for basically selling both their second-round picks. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Her performance has been garnering critical raves and the kudos are well-deserved. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026 Sacramento State’s annual Rising Stars was a two-day whirlwind marathon of drills and activity that played out on several grass fields near Hornet Stadium, and it was deemed a rousing success, from the weather to the effort to the kudos. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kudo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kudo
  1. award
  2. compliment
  3. prize
  4. tribute
  5. accolade
  6. commendation
Noun
  • The week before, The Boys and Bridgerton each won three awards at the Creative Arts Emmys.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026
  • At the July 26 awards ceremony, students were recognized alongside mentors and community leaders including Cherng and Lo.
    — True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of award
Noun
  • This Leather Handbag is a compliment-magnet and zips up nicely to help deter theft.
    — Carolin Lehmann, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That is both a compliment and, depending on your expectations, a minor criticism.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliment
Noun
  • Building on this recognition, the winner of the Busan Award – Best Film, the top prize in BIFF’s Competition section, now qualifies for submission to the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Leslie McIntosh, within-group variance (Changes) Changes’ first/second book prize, launched in 2022 with Louise Gluck as the first judge, has already delivered gems such as Jimin Seo’s Ossia and Rachel Mannheimer’s Earth Room.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of prize
Noun
  • Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray had been on hand for Nadal’s tribute at the French Open last year.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Those emotions briefly got the best of him when the Tigers played a tribute video on the big screen.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribute
Noun
  • KPop Demon Hunter’s latest accolade is a reminder that the canon, too, remains far from fixed.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • All these accolades and swift-but-eventful years later, the persona of the guy who became a wonder of the world remains intact and part of his unique appeal.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of accolade
Noun
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The novel earned commendations from authors such as Salman Rushdie and Amitav Ghosh.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Definition of commendation

Browse Nearby Words

kraits
kudo
kudos
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Cite this Entry

“Kudo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kudo. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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