Jemmy gets award, say (5)
I believe the answer is:
prise
'jemmy' is the definition.
(both can mean to force something open)
'award say' is the wordplay.
'award' becomes 'prize' (synonyms).
'say' shows a homophone (sound like).
'prize' is a homophone of 'PRISE'.
'gets' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for prise that I've seen before include "Spire (anag)" , "Lever open" , "Apply leverage" , "Force open by leverage" .)