Definition of HONORIFIC (original) (raw)
1
: conferring or conveying honor
2
: belonging to or constituting a class of grammatical forms used in speaking to or about a social superior
Examples of honorific in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web But the fish rots from the head, and rather than showing concern about these abuses or issuing directives ordering them to stop, the Kremlin bestowed an honorific title on one of the units accused of committing atrocities in Bucha. —
Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 18 May 2022 The royal family later stripped King Charles’ younger brother of his honorific titles and royal patronages. —Ava Benny-Morrison, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2024 The real czars may be long gone, but for decades, the White House has been doing a good job of keeping the role—or at least the _honorific_—alive, appointing a director to oversee a particular task or issue, and bestowing the title along with it. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 15 Sep. 2023 The Friday announcement quells any talk of retirement for the long-serving leader who, with the honorific title of speaker emeritus, remains an influential leader, pivotal party figure and vast fundraiser for Democrats. —Lisa Mascaro, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for honorific 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'honorific.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of honorific was in 1650
Dictionary Entries Near honorific
Cite this Entry
“Honorific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorific. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.
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Last Updated: 15 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences
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