Honor vs. Praise — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Honor involves respect and admiration for someone's character or achievements, reflecting esteem and ethical values; praise focuses on expressing approval or admiration for specific actions or accomplishments.
Difference Between Honor and Praise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Honor is a complex concept that encompasses respect, admiration, and recognition of an individual's character, ethics, or achievements. It often implies a deep-seated esteem that comes from one's principles and actions being aligned with societal or personal values. Honor can be bestowed through titles, awards, or public recognition, but it also exists as an internal sense of dignity and self-respect. On the other hand, praise is more about expressing approval, admiration, or commendation for someone's actions or accomplishments. It is an explicit verbal or written acknowledgment of someone's performance or qualities, typically focusing on specific deeds or achievements.
While honor carries a weight of ethical and moral respect, implying a recognition of one's whole self or lifetime achievements, praise tends to be situational or related to particular instances of success or effort. Honor suggests a lasting respect that might not need frequent reaffirmation, while praise is often given more freely and regularly as a form of encouragement or reward for specific behaviors or achievements.
The concept of honor can also involve a sense of duty or obligation, where one's actions are driven by an adherence to what is morally right or uphold family or cultural values. In contrast, praise functions as a positive reinforcement, aiming to motivate or encourage further achievements. Honor, therefore, is more about the character and integrity of the person, reflecting a broader societal or cultural esteem, whereas praise is direct feedback on specific actions or accomplishments.
Honor often requires a social acknowledgment that confirms an individual's status, values, or contributions to a community or society. It is tied to one's identity and reputation within a group or culture. Praise, however, can be given by anyone and requires no social consensus or lasting impact on one's reputation. It is immediate and fleeting, reflecting temporary satisfaction or approval.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Respect and admiration for someone's character or achievements, reflecting ethical values.
Expressing approval or admiration for specific actions or accomplishments.
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Focus
Character, ethics, lifetime achievements.
Specific deeds, efforts, or achievements.
Expression
Often formal, through titles, awards, or public recognition.
Verbal or written acknowledgment, typically informal.
Underlying Values
Ethical respect, moral integrity, societal or cultural esteem.
Encouragement, motivation, positive reinforcement.
Duration
Long-lasting respect, may not need frequent reaffirmation.
Often situational, reflecting temporary satisfaction.
Compare with Definitions
Honor
The quality of knowing and doing what is morally right.
His honor was questioned after the allegations surfaced.
Praise
Recognition or commendation for an achievement.
The athlete received high praise for breaking the world record.
Honor
A sense of principled uprightness of character.
She carried herself with honor, always sticking to her values.
Praise
Expressing warm approval or admiration of someone or something.
The teacher's praise motivated the students to work harder.
Honor
Respect and admiration for one’s moral integrity.
The soldier was given a medal as a symbol of honor for his bravery.
Praise
The act of expressing respect or gratitude, typically in words.
He wrote a letter in praise of the author’s work.
Honor
A formal recognition or distinction.
He received the highest honor at the academy for his lifelong contributions to science.
Praise
Acknowledgment of the worth or excellence of a person or thing.
Her performance earned the praise of critics.
Honor
An adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct.
They acted with honor in returning the lost wallet.
Praise
Verbal expression of approval, especially in a professional context.
The manager’s praise boosted the team’s morale.
Honor
High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.
Praise
Praise as a form of social interaction expresses recognition, reassurance or admiration. Praise is expressed verbally as well as by body language (facial expression and gestures).
Honor
Great privilege
I have the honor of presenting the governor.
Praise
Express warm approval or admiration of
We can't praise Chris enough—he did a brilliant job
Honor
Good name; reputation
I must defend my honor.
Praise
Express one's respect and gratitude towards (a deity), especially in song
We praise God for past blessings
Honor
A source or cause of credit
Was an honor to the profession.
Praise
The expression of approval or admiration for someone or something
The audience was full of praise for the whole production
Honor
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
Praise
The expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship
Give praise to God
Honor
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
Praise
Expression of approval, commendation, or admiration.
Honor
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
Praise
The extolling or exaltation of a deity, ruler, or hero.
Honor
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
Praise
(Archaic) A reason for praise; merit.
Honor
Social courtesies offered to guests
Did the honors at tea.
Praise
To express warm approval of, commendation for, or admiration for.
Honor
High rank
Assumed the honor of kingship.
Praise
To express a feeling of veneration or gratitude to (a deity); worship or glorify.
Honor
Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.
Praise
Commendation; favourable representation in words.
The writer's latest novel received great praise in the media.
You deserve praise for the hard work you've done recently.
She gave them some faint praise for their assignments, despite not being totally convinced by the quality.
Dim praise
Honor
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
Praise
Worship.
Praise of God
Honor
A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
Praise
To give praise to; to commend, glorify, or worship.
Be sure to praise Bobby for his excellent work at school this week.
Some of the passengers were heard praising God as the stricken plane landed safely.
Honor
A woman's chastity or reputation for chastity.
Praise
To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to laud; - applied to a person or his acts.
Let her own works praise her in the gates.
We praise not Hector, though his name, we know,Is great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe.
Honor
(Sports) The right of being first at the tee in golf.
Praise
To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to; to display the excellence of; - applied especially to the Divine Being.
Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts!
Honor
Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.
Praise
To value; to appraise.
Honor
Often honors The points allotted to these cards.
Praise
Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.
There are men who always confound the praise of goodness with the practice.
Honor
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
Praise
Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship; as, a service of praise.
Honor
To show respect for
Honored the volunteers with a party.
Praise
The object, ground, or reason of praise.
He is thy praise, and he is thy God.
Honor
To confer distinction on
He has honored us with his presence.
Praise
An expression of approval and commendation;
He always appreciated praise for his work
Honor
To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing
Honor your partner.
Praise
Offering words of homage as an act of worship;
They sang a hymn of praise to God
Honor
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
Praise
Express approval of;
The parents praised their children for their academic performance
Honor
(uncountable) recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful
The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
Honor
(uncountable) the state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity
He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
His honor was unstained.
Honor
A privilege
I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
Honor
(in the plural) the privilege of going first
I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.
Honor
(golf) the right to play one's ball before one's opponent.
Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.
He is an honour to his nation.
Honor
(feudal law) a seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended
Honor
In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit. In some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.
Honor
(in the plural) (courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank
At university I took honours in modern history.
Honor
(transitive) to think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of
The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
Honor
(transitive) to conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like)
I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.
Refuse to honor the test ban treaty
Honor
(transitive) to confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone)
Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
Honor
(transitive) to make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.)
I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.
Honor
Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence.
A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country.
Honor
That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness.
Godlike erect, with native honor clad.
Honor
Purity; chastity; - a term applied mostly to women, but becoming uncommon in usage.
If she have forgotHonor and virtue.
Honor
A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege; integrity; uprightness; trustworthness.
Say, what is honor? 'T is the finest senseOf justice which the human mind can frame,Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim,And guard the way of life from all offenseSuffered or done.
I could not love thee, dear, so much,Loved I not honor more.
Honor
That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank.
I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor.
Thou art clothed with honor and majesty.
Honor
Fame; reputation; credit.
Some in their actions do woo, and affect honor and reputation.
If my honor is meant anything distinct from conscience, 't is no more than a regard to the censure and esteem of the world.
Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation.
Honor
A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable.
Honor
A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
Honor
Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics.
Honor
The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors.
Honor
To regard or treat with honor, esteem, or respect; to revere; to treat with deference and submission; when used of the Supreme Being, to reverence; to adore; to worship.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.
It is a customMore honor'd in the breach than the observance.
Honor
To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to bestow honor upon; to elevate in rank or station; to ennoble; to exalt; to glorify; hence, to do something to honor; to treat in a complimentary manner or with civility.
Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighten to honor.
The name of Cassius honors this corruption.
Honor
To accept and pay when due; as, to honora bill of exchange.
Honor
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Honor
The state of being honored
Honor
The quality of being honorable and having a good name;
A man of honor
Honor
A woman's virtue or chastity
Honor
Bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiers
The scout was rewarded for courageus action
Honor
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Honor
Accept as pay;
We honor checks and drafts
Common Curiosities
How is honor shown in society?
Honor is often shown through formal recognitions like awards, titles, or public acknowledgments that signify a person’s esteemed place in society.
Can someone receive praise without honor?
Yes, an individual can receive praise for specific actions without being honored if those actions don’t necessarily reflect a deeper respect for their character or ethical values.
What is the main difference between honor and praise?
Honor is about deep respect and admiration for someone’s character or achievements, often tied to ethical values, while praise focuses on expressing approval for specific actions or accomplishments.
Can honor be lost?
Yes, honor can be lost if an individual's actions later betray the ethical standards or values for which they were originally respected.
How do different cultures view honor?
Cultural perceptions of honor can vary greatly, with some cultures placing a higher emphasis on community reputation and others focusing on individual moral integrity.
Can praise affect someone’s honor?
Praise for genuine achievements can enhance an individual’s reputation and, by extension, their honor, especially if it reflects their character and ethical values.
Is it possible to honor someone privately?
Yes, honoring someone can also be a private matter, reflecting personal respect and admiration that does not necessarily require public expression.
Why is praise important?
Praise is important as it serves as a positive reinforcement, encouraging individuals to continue performing well or to strive for improvement.
Is praise always positive?
While praise is meant to be positive, its impact depends on how it is received and the context in which it is given; it could be perceived differently by the recipient.
Does honor require public acknowledgment?
While public acknowledgment can enhance the perception of honor, true honor also involves personal integrity and ethical conduct, which may not always require public recognition.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
