Synonym Chooser

How does the noun panegyric differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of panegyric are citation, encomium, eulogy, and tribute. While all these words mean "a formal expression of praise," panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

When would citation be a good substitute for panegyric?

The meanings of citation and panegyric largely overlap; 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 panegyric?

While in some cases nearly identical to panegyric, 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 panegyric?

The words eulogy and panegyric are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 tribute be used to replace panegyric?

The words tribute and panegyric can be used in similar contexts, but 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 panegyric The whole film is a panegyric: big speeches and weighty moments with very little sense of play. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 Buckley’s magazine, National Review, the flagship of the movement, published regular panegyrics to anti-communist generalissimos, heaping adoration on the likes of the Dominican Republic’s Rafael Trujillo, Portugal’s Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, and Spain’s Francisco Franco. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 For example, Kenneth Khachigian, chief speechwriter for former President Ronald Reagan, wrote a panegyric about her for The Wall Street Journal, which went so far as to compare her to the Gipper. Robert Robb, CNN, 31 Oct. 2022 At Night Market, a young Filipina chef named Strawberry conjured a mouthwatering panegyric to Middle East cuisine. Christopher P. Baker, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2022 Leave it to Grant Park Music Festival artistic director Carlos Kalmar to make sense of a head-scratcher of a season closer: A sprawling, somewhat obscure military panegyric by Handel. Hannah Edgar, chicagotribune.com, 21 Aug. 2021 Yet, once the protagonist Vellitt Boe leaves her capricious, cruel fantasy realm behind, there follows a panegyric to this world. Siddhartha Deb, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2021 As this panegyric suggests, Charles’s political career in the United States was dead on arrival. David Klion, The New Republic, 24 Sep. 2019 And all of the above is unbeknownst to Grace, who, in her speech at the wedding feast, delivers a panegyric to her parents for their total fabulosity, and whose life is about to be upended. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for panegyric
Noun
  • This hidden cocktail bar pays tribute to Asheville's bold 1907 anti-Prohibitionists who wore red ribbons in defiance.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
  • In May, Brown paid tribute to husband Jake Bongiovi on his 23rd birthday with a post on social media.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village received a commendation by the Laguna Woods City Council on May 28 in recognition of its award as the 72nd Assembly District nonprofit of the year.
    Anita Gosch, Oc Register, 15 June 2025
  • Highest commendations to those who made history voting for and passing it through both chambers of the legislature.
    Robert Turner, Baltimore Sun, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • The academics also found that LGBTQ-friendly firms demonstrated an almost 25 percent increase in the number of patent citations, which is broadly considered an indication of how other companies value the innovativeness of a particular patent.
    Josie Cox, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Vinson said the village is involved with ongoing litigation with the apartment owner over 170 previously issued citations.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Panegyric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/panegyric. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on panegyric

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!