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 Hayden Panettiere‘s ex-boyfriend, Wladimir Klitschko, is paying tribute to the late actress on what would’ve been her 37th birthday. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Scream star Rose McGowan has shared an emotional tribute to fellow horror franchise actress Hayden Panettiere following the latter’s death last weekend at age 36. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 Constructed through the Work Progress Association (WPA), the building is now the temporary home of the work of 27 local artists whose creations pay tribute to its history and the Winn Park community. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys all paid tribute to Haden following his death. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribute

Noun

And certainly, an homage to the importance and brilliance of sea creatures.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
OpenAI’s lookbook for their capsule collection is an apparent homage to tastemaking brands like Kith and Aimé Leon Dore, two labels that turned laidback knitwear and box cut T-shirts into trends that saturated menswear in the last few years.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 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 teens face misdemeanors including trespassing and reckless conduct, and two were given citations for having pellet guns.

— Sara Machi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
This calls for continuous automated evaluation of ranking quality, faithfulness, relevance and citation accuracy.

— Sriram Bhargav Madhav, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of citation

Noun

The team finished its competitive season in June at the Sunshine State Games in Ocala, where the Novice category won first place and earned the high-point award.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
Friedman, an award-winning social psychologist whose research has been featured by in the New York Times, Bloomberg, and the Harvard Business Review, has built a career testing management folklore against behavioral science.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of award

Noun

His flagship restaurant in Oakland’s Temescal district, Burdell, has won a number of accolades – snagging first place in the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 restaurants list for 2025 and also Food & Wine’s Restaurant of the Year for 2024.

— John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Miller is a future Hall of Fame defensive end who has two first team All-Pro nods under his many accolades.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of accolade

Noun

Little Haiti looks ahead On a humid morning in Little Haiti, about a dozen people walked into Notre Dame d’Haiti Catholic Church for Mass, taking Communion and singing hymns in French.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of hymn

Noun

Sharpton delivered the eulogy at Wells’ funeral and has frequently appeared at news conferences alongside Crump, demanding answers about what happened to the teen.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Robert Taylor counted Ronald Reagan among his closest friends, close enough that the future president delivered a eulogy at Taylor's funeral in 1969.

— Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of eulogy

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tribute

tributes

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“Tribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tribute. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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