Paid tribute is a common phrase used to describe an act of showing admiration or respect towards someone. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to convey the same meaning. Commended, praised, honored, lauded, saluted, celebrated, recognized, and acknowledged are some of the popular synonyms which one can use to express the same idea. These synonyms can be used interchangeably depending on the context and tone of the sentence. When you want to pay your respects to someone, you can choose any of these synonyms to give your message a little twist. It shows that the way we express an idea can have a significant impact on how the message is received.