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

Example 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 Officers were tasked with enforcing the city ordinance violation of drinking alcohol in public, and cops gave out numerous citations as people walked on public roadways and sidewalks with open containers of alcohol. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 Hill was given two citations, one for careless driving and the other for not wearing a seat belt, according to ESPN. C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025 Listen to this article San Diego shifted last weekend from issuing warnings to writing actual citations when vehicles are parked within 20 feet of any intersection or crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 The summons demanded a number of documents from 2014 until now, including copies of citations, code violations, emails, phone calls and text messages between property owners, tenants and village personnel. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for citation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for citation
Noun
  • The two were married for well over 50 years, and the track serves as a tribute to their decades-long love story.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • This isn’t the first time Rodrigo has paid tribute to No Doubt.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Former San Jose Public Art Director Barbara Goldstein appeared before the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors this month to accept a commendation for Womanhood.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • While these commendations are encouraging, the students say witnessing a direct impact on families has been the most rewarding.
    Tara Sreekrishnan, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Exploring the genre of inaugural addresses through quotations and objects from the past can help listeners better understand the opening speech of a new administration, the first act in a job that began with the taking of the oath.
    Claire Jerry, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Despite the patchwork libretto, Handel ingeniously parlayed Jennens’ quotations and paraphrases from the Old and New testaments into unexpected evocations of wonder and awe.
    Bob Blaisdell, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • That movie is coming to theaters, and that fact may be the key to a future major awards push.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Despite picking up album of the year and best country album for Cowboy Carter at the 2025 Grammys, Beyoncé has been snubbed by a country music awards program… again.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Lane also noted that Spencer was supposed to be on the ice Wednesday night as a medal presenter.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The very best can cement themselves as medal favorites for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
    Nick Zaccardi, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • On the placard beneath the hallowed swimming costume reads a quote from Anderson on her own swimwear line, designed over 30 years later.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Matthew named the property after a quote from the 1994 prison drama starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While that milestone would later be surpassed by Toy Story 3, Shrek also received other accolades, including two Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • This week, the song earns yet another accolade, helping Rosé inch closer to a milestone no one from her part of the world has achieved before.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • However, the reference to his businesses — which include Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer trying to expand sales and production in China — is an unusual acknowledgment of concerns about Musk balancing his corporate and government responsibilities.
    Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • For all his apparent hesitation, though, and his acknowledgment of the problems related to sports betting, Baker is also charged with helping his organization maximize profits.
    Made by History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Citation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/citation. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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