Skip to main content
to recognize

to recognize

305 1.4
To say or show thanks for what someone did
  • verb
  • /ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/
  • Formal
translation icon : reconocer
  • Successful completion of a field leadership experience could be recognized with course credit or an additional certification.
  • recognize significant contributions
  • recognize outstanding achievements
  • recognize with an award

I want to notice and recognise my own worth and love.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • So far, more than a dozen institutions have publicly recognized their connection with that past.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Feels good to have your work recognized, yeah.

  • And we also need to always recognize those who came before.

  • Rule number six, recognize the cost of your actions.

  • Each year we recognize the winners of the Harvard Medal.

  • Summer language camps became quite popular and were quickly recognized as an effective tool for integration.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Educators learn the importance of building positive relationships and recognizing students who are behaving appropriately.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Harmful government subsidies are widely recognized as a major factor driving the generation of overcapacity.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The foundation of successful IWM is diversity, which is also a well-recognized pillar of sustainable agroecosystem management.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Each year, we recognize the exceptional contributions of local artists at the community gala.

Synonyms

to thank
vsto recognize
1.0

Tell someone you are grateful for what they did

is more about formally recognising achievements rather than a simple thanks
to respect
vsto recognize
1.0

To admire someone for their actions or qualities

is an active expression of appreciation or formal recognition rather than quiet regard
to honor
vsto recognize
  • US
796 2.3

Show great respect to someone, often in public

is more about expressing appreciation or formal notice than deep respect
to praise
vsto recognize
331 1.0

To tell a person that you admire or approve of them

leans toward formal or official acknowledgement rather than general approval
to congratulate
vsto recognize
232 2.4

To tell someone you are happy about their success or good news

is often a formal public acknowledgement rather than a personal remark
to celebrate
vsto recognize
201 2.1

To praise someone in public for something they did

is about formally acknowledging efforts or achievements without celebration
to applaud
vsto recognize
136 3.2

To show praise in public for a person or idea

tends to be more formal and tied to official acknowledgement
to mention
vsto recognize
  • Formal
83 2.8

To officially praise someone in a report for a brave act

is less about record keeping and more about public appreciation
to acknowledge
vsto recognize
72 3.5

To say thank you for help or support

focuses on public appreciation or formal acknowledgement rather than private thanks
to give thanks
vsto recognize
56 1.4

To show you are grateful, often in words or prayer

is used for public or official acknowledgement of actions or efforts
to pay homage
vsto recognize
  • Formal
22 5.8

Show deep respect to someone or something, often in public

is broader, used for general appreciation rather than deep ceremonial respect
to pay homage to
vsto recognize
  • Formal
19 5.5

To show great respect to someone in public for their work

is simpler and covers ordinary formal acknowledgement rather than ceremonial homage
to recognize for
vsto recognize
  • US
17 2.4

To give praise or a reward to someone for something good they did

is broader, used for general appreciation or official acknowledgement of efforts
to offer congratulations
vsto recognize
  • Formal
1 2.8

To tell someone you are happy for their success

can include formal approval but also covers routine acknowledgement

Antonyms

119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

Phrasal Verbs

17 2.4

To give praise or a reward to someone for something good they did

How Recognized

to honor
  • US
796 2.3
to celebrate
1.4
to recognize
  • Formal
305 1.4
to mention
  • Formal
83 2.8
to ignore
1.0

Surface Forms

recognize infinitive
recognized past
recognized past participle
recognizing present participle
recognizes third person singular

Morphology

recognize = cognize (semi-transparent) = re + cognize

The 'acknowledge/appreciate' sense is an extension from 'know'/'acknowledge', so morphological form is consistent but the pragmatic meaning requires additional world knowledge.

Etymology

Recognize comes from re- 'again' and cogn- 'know', and it can mean showing you know someone's value. So to recognize a person's effort is to publicly notice and appreciate what they did.