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 Multiple friends and acquaintances posted Facebook tributes to Adams. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 In the moments after journalist and activist Gloria Steinem's death was announced on Thursday morning, heartfelt tributes poured out from a wide range of leaders as far-flung as Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Spanx founder Sara Blakely. — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 Related Stories Barbara Forever A loving tribute to a phenomenal talent. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026 The network added that each episode will pay tribute to one of the Harry Potter movies, a quarter-century after the release of 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tribute

Noun

The event brought out a lineup that saw Carly Pearce, Jelly Roll, Parton's niece Jada Star, Molly Tuttle, Kathy Mattea, and other artists paying homage with performances of their own songs as well as hits from Parton's catalog.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Green’s vision weaves deep cuts referencing courtroom thrillers like Erin Brockovich and The Insider into a warm, silly homage to some of the finest, most enduring 2D animation of all time.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of homage

Noun

The result was lines out the door, a local political commendation, and a business that converted attention into revenue in a way most post-villa deals never manage.

— Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.

— Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of commendation

Noun

On the day the interim suspension took effect, UCLA filed new citations from a May 2025 protest alleging obstruction, disorderly conduct and failure to follow orders, the suit said.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
GPTZero investigation published 14 May 2026 found 16 of 27 citations fabricated, misattributed, or broken, including references to Forbes, McKinsey, Gartner, TechCrunch, and WIRED.

— Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of citation

Noun

The All-America receivers entered Week 1 with the shortest BetMGM odds (+1500) among non-quarterbacks to win college football’s most prestigious individual award.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The glamorous resort is set along the beach with two oceanfront pools, a private beach, and an award-winning spa.

— Megan duBois, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of award

Noun

The crowd listened in silence as the Polynesians, wearing blue fire uniforms, sang a Tahitian hymn in harmony while two of them strummed ukuleles.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hymn

Noun

Meredith decided to share her pregnancy news — and that Johnny would soon be a father of three, not two — in her eulogy at his and Matthew’s funeral.

— Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
The new edition includes previously unseen archival photographs, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for late Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and a foreword from Oasis’ Noel Gallagher.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 25 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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