TRIBUTE Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'tribute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tribute are citation , encomium , eulogy , and panegyric . While all these words mean "a formal expression of praise," 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

Q: When could 'citation' be used to replace 'tribute'?

In some situations, the words citation and tribute are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: When is 'encomium' a more appropriate choice than 'tribute'?

The meanings of encomium and tribute largely overlap; however, encomium implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing. // received encomiums from literary critics

Q: When might 'eulogy' be a better fit than 'tribute'?

Although the words eulogy and tribute have much in common, eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person. // delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

Q: When would 'panegyric' be a good substitute for 'tribute'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tribute , panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment. // her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

tribute

noun

ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt

Definition of tribute

as in homage

a formal expression of praise tributes were received from all over the world at the opera singer's farewell concert

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How does the noun tribute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tribute are citation, encomium, eulogy, and panegyric. While all these words mean "a formal expression of praise," 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

When could citation be used to replace tribute?

In some situations, the words citation and tribute are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is encomium a more appropriate choice than tribute?

The meanings of encomium and tribute largely overlap; however, 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 tribute?

Although the words eulogy and tribute have much in common, eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

When would panegyric be a good substitute for tribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to tribute, panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

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 tribute Barack Obama shared his annual summer playlist and reading list Thursday, and took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Irish singer-songwriter and actor Glen Hansard while doing so. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026 The team played a tribute video and Jones rode around the warning track in a car, waving to fans. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 31 July 2026 The Elton show delivered a slick Broadway-style tribute to the Rocket Man, complete with technicolor costumes, pyrotechnics and laser lights. — Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 31 July 2026 In the years since each of their deaths, McHale and costars have paid tribute to the late actors. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribute

Noun

The result is a modern homage to analogue racing, all housed in a reinterpretation of TAG’s 39 mm Carrera Glassbox (a noticeable size difference from the previous collaboration’s 44 mm), which allows for a clear view of the dial and the flange.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 July 2026
Mofongo with shrimp and garlic in an homage to Loiza in Puerto Rico.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of homage

Noun

The novel earned commendations from authors such as Salman Rushdie and Amitav Ghosh.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
His contributions to Japanese cinema earned him the 2004 Kawakita Prize and a commendation from Japan’s Foreign Ministry in 2008.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of commendation

Noun

The city of Miami dismissed five citations issued to owner-hosts without a code enforcement board hearing or fines after their online listings were briefly removed.

— Joan Chrissos, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026
Reddit's citation share grew at least 73% between October 2025 and January 2026, and Perplexity alone pulled nearly a quarter of its citations from Reddit in one month.

— Tobias Fischer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of citation

Noun

The would-be comedy that braved the path of the Drama awards and was rewarded?

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Bergé—still blustery and energetic at sixty-eight—flanks Saint Laurent protectively as the two leave their hotel for the ceremony, where the designer is set to receive a lifetime-achievement award.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of award

Noun

The response has poured in through a parade of international accolades and enduring global success.

— Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Davido has lived his entire adult life in public, and has weathered celebration, scrutiny, controversy, warranted criticism, deserved accolades, and unimaginable loss under a microscope.

— Ivie Ani, VIBE.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of accolade

Noun

The rugby union side’s is ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’, originally an African-American hymn sung by slaves in the United States in the mid-19th century.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
The hymn was dubbed by the NAACP as the Black national anthem in the early 1900s.

— PJ Green July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of hymn

Noun

In a final ode to Graham, Hannity used his eulogy to rally support for Israel’s wars.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Sharpton invoked Mississippi's history of racist violence during his eulogy, including the lynching of Emmett Till and assassination of Medgar Evers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of eulogy

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tributary

tribute

tributes

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“Tribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribute. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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