Definition of citationnext
1
2
as in commendation
a formal recognition of an achievement or praiseworthy deed a police officer who has received several citations for his work with troubled youths in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in quotation
a passage referred to, repeated, or offered as an example in your paper be sure to include citations to back up any points you make about the play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun citation differ from other similar words?

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

The words encomium and citation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 citation?

The meanings of eulogy and citation largely overlap; however, eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

When could panegyric be used to replace citation?

In some situations, the words panegyric and citation are roughly equivalent. However, panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

When is tribute a more appropriate choice than citation?

While the synonyms tribute and citation are close in meaning, 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

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 citation Thirteen parents were also issued citations for allowing their children to be out, police said. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026 The Interior Department said Thursday there have been seven arrests, seven federal citations and 18 police reports filed. Matthew Daly, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026 Since the games began, 14 drones were seized and five federal criminal citations were issued for unauthorized drone flights in temporary flight restriction (TFR) zones around Kansas City Stadium, Fan Festivaland other event locations, per the release. Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 The following citations relate to the abuse of black Americans, whose enslavement was slyly written into the Constitution. Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for citation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for citation
Noun
  • Middleton later donned the heirloom earrings on her 14th Remembrance Sunday since marrying Prince William in a poignant tribute to her late mother-in-law.
    Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 26 June 2026
  • His Waffle House mural is both a tribute to a beloved Atlanta institution and a reminder that public art can be every bit as thoughtful and layered as artwork hanging inside a gallery.
    Brian Unger, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • But precise passes that squeeze the maximum gain out of plays will receive extra commendation.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • His actions came to light when a letter of commendation was sent to the state by Pamlico County Emergency Services.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Students occupied the building and hung banners with mocking quotations from Horkheimer.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • Lowbrow sources such as Sunday funnies, B movies, and advertisements are present but are more diffuse, rarely coalescing into obvious quotation.
    Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • ElAttrache’s patients include 18 of 29 players who won the MVP or Cy Young awards over the past 10 years.
    Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • The award will recognize a singular work selected from qualifying American narrative television and film that address environmental issues through creativity and possibility.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Tool Shed Brewing is an award-winning brewery, having won medals at multiple editions of the Canada Beer Cup.
    Don Tse, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Miller has won six Olympic and 79 World Cup medals, including a gold medal for Alpine Combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
    Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • WatchCheck sends clients a shipping kit to pick up the watch, prepares a free service quote, uses manufacturer parts, and owners abreast of the process.
    Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • The complaint listed examples like Bing Chat citing fake quotes from Steve Forbes’ daughter Moira Forbes and ChatGPT fabricating an NYT article that was never published but ChatGPT claimed linked non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to consuming orange juice.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Nonetheless, the 36-year-old’s accolades speak for themselves.
    Ava DiCecca, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026
  • Sure, the accolades are great, but there’s nothing better than reading a Spurrier quote.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • After Phil Nevin and Ron Washington also failed to hold the managerial job for more than two seasons, Minasian hired first-time manager Kurt Suzuki from his own front-office staff last fall, giving him a one-year deal with the acknowledgment that their fates were tied.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • In September 2024, the USDA quietly terminated its 30-year-old annual report on household food insecurity — effectively ending the official tracking and acknowledgment of hunger in America.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Citation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/citation. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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