The phrase "was recognized" can be substituted with multiple synonyms, such as "was acknowledged," "was appreciated," "was commended," "was lauded," "was acclaimed," "was honored," or "was celebrated." All of these words convey the idea that someone or something received positive attention or praise for their actions or accomplishments. Choosing the right synonym to replace "was recognized" depends on the context of the sentence and the level of recognition being conveyed. For example, "was honored" suggests a higher level of recognition than "was acknowledged." Using synonyms can help to add variety and nuance to writing.