1
2
as in commendation
a formal recognition of an achievement or praiseworthy deed a police officer who has received several citations for his work with troubled youths in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in quotation
a passage referred to, repeated, or offered as an example in your paper be sure to include citations to back up any points you make about the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun citation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of citation are encomium, eulogy, panegyric, and tribute. While all these words mean "a formal expression of praise," citation applies to the formal praise of a person offered in a military dispatch or in awarding an honorary degree.

earned a citation for bravery

When can encomium be used instead of citation?

The words encomium and citation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, encomium implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing.

received encomiums from literary critics

When might eulogy be a better fit than citation?

The meanings of eulogy and citation largely overlap; however, eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

When could panegyric be used to replace citation?

In some situations, the words panegyric and citation are roughly equivalent. However, panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

When is tribute a more appropriate choice than citation?

While the synonyms tribute and citation are close in meaning, tribute implies deeply felt praise conveyed either through words or through a significant act.

the concert was a musical tribute to the early jazz masters

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of citation In January, Ackman had helped push Harvard president Claudine Gay out of her job amid accusations of plagiarism, charges that boomeranged on Oxman, who had to apologize for citation errors in her own Ph.D. dissertation. Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024 Traffic citations are pending as Major Accident Detectives continue investigating. Karina Atkins, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024 The city will cover the remaining costs through local funding and citation revenues, but the state has required the city to reinvest any net revenue from the program into traffic calming measures. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 The Bitcoin white paper, contrary to academic practice, was extremely thin on citations. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for citation 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for citation
Noun
  • His former One Tree Hill co-stars paid tribute to the late actor on social media.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Days after his death, his daughter Rashida Jones paid tribute to him on social media.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The following commendation praising Richards’s work was delivered at the ceremony, the White House said.
    Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024
  • With that in mind, a special commendation for professionalism goes out to Riehle for keeping a straight face during the film’s opening scene, when Santa reads aloud a sad letter announcing the death of his old friend Mr. Hucklebuckle. 19.
    Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Adding to the complexity of the undertaking—and to its emotional import—are quotations from a Fugue in B-flat composed by Ives’s father.
    Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Then, the creator of that quotation can select the winner.
    Steve Banker, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The Board of Directors of City Trusts announced November 18 that three individuals received the 2024 John Scott award for their work in the field.
    John Werner, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Since 2002, the Unforgettable Gala has grown to become the API community’s longest-running awards ceremony.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • And though Parker and Sweeney had broken a rule (or 10) of protocol, Vance shared at episode’s end that they’d both been recommended for special medals.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Along with his political and business endeavors, he was awarded the medal as a nod to his dedication to philanthropy.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Seeing an opportunity to tap into people’s emotions and wallets, online stores and marketplaces selling political merchandise now sell merchandise with not only a candidate’s name but also quotes, taglines, facial images and more.
    Rytis Lauris, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The Scorsese quote spooks him into coming up with an entirely new climax for Tecto, which will not feature the destruction of the bridge, rendering the crew’s journey entirely moot.
    Jack King, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The author is the recipient of the Asian-American Literary Award for fiction, among other accolades, as well as a recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Nominated for eight Emmys, among numerous other accolades, and spawning a few spin-offs, the show is expected to return for its fifth and final season in 2026.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • He’s finally painted the town in the colors of his mother’s desperate dreams, but there will be no verbal acknowledgment of pride to drown out her final words of hate.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
  • There was little acknowledgment that Democrats are parents too. Nor do women live in a vacuum.
    Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near citation

Cite this Entry

“Citation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/citation. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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