cite

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cite different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cite are call, convene, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do call and summon relate to one another, in the sense of cite?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

How are the words convene and convoke related as synonyms of cite?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When is convoke a more appropriate choice than cite?

In some situations, the words convoke and cite are roughly equivalent. However, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When would muster be a good substitute for cite?

The synonyms muster and cite are sometimes interchangeable, but muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

When can summon be used instead of cite?

The words summon and cite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

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 cite The police agencies involved declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024 State and federal leaders have largely declined to intercede, citing tribal sovereignty. Christine Clarridge, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024 Some residents also expressed reluctance to support the measure, citing the already high cost of living as their main deterrent. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024 The American Dental Assn., the American Academy of Pediatrics and others have pushed back on the study, citing concerns about the methods used to evaluate both child IQ and maternal fluoride levels. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cite 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cite
Verb
  • Denver was fending for the first time this season without Nikola Jokic, who didn’t travel with the team due to personal reasons, not to mention Aaron Gordon dealing with a calf strain and coach Michael Malone playing hooky.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
  • While White’s production needs to sharpen its pace and tempo a tad, there’s no denying the depth and urgency of the play’s themes, not to mention the wry pleasures of the text, Bioh’s rich gift for the idiosyncrasies of language and dialect, the rollicking musicality of speech.
    Karen D'Souza, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Apple specifies that this release is about security though there will be bugs being squished as well.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • However, the application did not specify where filming would take place in the Queen City.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Speaking on Tuesday during a visit to a county in eastern China, Zhong was widely quoted as taking direct aim at Pinduoduo, criticizing the popular e-commerce site owned by PDD Holdings for hurting businesses.
    Juliana Liu, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Frank, who turns 70 next year, is quoted in the series but declined to participate further.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In curating the luxury e-retailer’s fragrance selection for the end of 2024, she’s noticed many of the brands the company stocks are continuing to play with gourmand scents.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Yet clients and partners notice when employees bring a genuine interest in them as people, rather than just points on an agenda.
    Joelle Machia, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The representatives noted that the owner had full intentions to work with the city to conform to the community’s needs.
    Rachel Royster, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The pair did not comment beyond the release but noted an arraignment has been set for noon Monday.
    Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Along with expanding their hardware into more storefronts, Radar will also use the funding to release additional offerings about customer behavior—like whether a customer picks up and places back down an item, indicating there was something about it the shopper didn’t like.
    Alexandra York, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • This indicates that the outer and internal tissues have thawed evenly.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near cite

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on cite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!