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 Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic these swipe fees have increased nearly 70%, according to NACS, which cited data from Nilson. Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025 In documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Christine cited April 11 as the date of separation. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025 Organizers cited opposition to various administration policies, including immigration, social program funding cuts and the use of the National Guard. Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025 Merritt also cited rising fears over public safety in Chicago. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cite
Verb
  • The barrels for Camp Nelson E were pulled from the fifth floor of this seven-story rickhouse, and as mentioned before the whiskey was bottled at 128 proof.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Parker told the gathering that government officials have received a record number of death threats and mentioned a December 2022 incident when a casket bearing the names of people killed by police was left on her lawn, according to Schatzline.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Spotify’s blog post didn’t specify whether the development would be opt-in or opt-out to determine training permissions.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The law did not specify whether the hanging should be public or private.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Russini quoted another league head coach who thinks the Ravens have lost their identity on defense.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Miranda fangirled after the concert on Instagram, quoting her.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Shout out to @CamInman who noticed the 49ers had just 10 defenders (three linemen) on the play on which Fred Warner was injured.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Other rockers are starting to notice this positive trend, and theorize about why the kids are connecting so hard with bands who aren’t remotely humanized.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Gatsby simply couldn’t have existed without Long Island, and the prominence of the novel’s location was noted from the day of publication, as Anne Margaret Daniel illustrates in her article on the author and his relationship with the New Yorker magazine.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Draghi noted that Europe captures just 5% of global venture capital funds, while the US commands 52%.
    Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their 3-1 victory over the Brewers on Thursday, in a game that felt more comfortable than the score might have indicated, put them in position to get back to the World Series for the second year in a row, third time in six years and fifth time in the last nine.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Their results indicate that thermal machines functioning at the atomic scale are capable of converting not only heat but also correlations into usable work.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cite. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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