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

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 cite In 1867, President Andrew Johnson similarly cited it as a rationale for purchasing Alaska. Scott Neuman, NPR, 7 Feb. 2025 Khamenei suggested that negotiations with the U.S. would not lead to any meaningful progress, citing past failures. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 The United Kingdom issued a secret order requiring Apple to create a backdoor for government security officials to access encrypted data, The Washington Post reported today, citing people familiar with the matter. Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025 Per the Times, which at the time cited trial testimony, Walker was accused of taking a pair of sunglasses from the store before the owner asked the NYPD officer to investigate. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cite 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cite
Verb
  • The book is a towering achievement in Australian fiction, widely recognized as a classic of war literature and a work of national cultural importance — not to mention a gripping, psychologically complex read.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The Amazon listing and account's bio both mention Dash MacIntyre, who describes himself as a comedian on his X account.
    Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Though the picture's caption doesn't specify the aircraft's destination, the local Arizona outlet ABC15 News reported that the migrants were deported to Guatemala.
    Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The charge specifies that the suspect targeted either a single victim or one or more members of a single household, with the knowledge or reason to believe that his actions would cause terrorization under the circumstances.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Why, the chorus asks, quoting Anna Akhmatova, is this age worse than others?
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Lamar had everyone from middle schoolers on the dancefloor at a bar mitzvah to former Vice President Kamala Harris at the BET Awards quoting his single.
    Scottie Andrew, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • By around noon on Monday, the mother noticed her 9-year-old son was not breathing, then called a family friend to take him to the hospital, according to the police chief.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Driving the news: Security researchers noticed Monday that 8Base's dark-web data leak site had a seizure notice from law enforcement agencies in Europe, Japan, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But there was one major difference between the two groups, the official noted: While the Kenyans were anxious for their livelihoods, the Americans were worried about their country.
    Declan Walsh, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
  • The judge noted that the Skyhawks played 32 games in spring 2021 and Ciulla-Hall played in 21 of those games.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Furthermore, of the two solar cycles encompassed by the 26.5 years' worth of observations, both BISON and GOLF indicated that the cycle with stronger magnetic activity had a greater impact upon the discrepancy in the age measurement.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The two paintings contain few elements that might signal a tree – a concentration of lines near the center, lines that could be branches or a central trunk and lines that could indicate the ground or a horizon.
    Mitchell Newberry, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near cite

Cite this Entry

“Cite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cite. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cite

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