CITE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cite' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cite are call , convene , convoke , muster , and summon . While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge. // cited for drunken driving

Q: How do 'call' and 'summon' relate to one another, in the sense of 'cite'?

Call may be used less formally for summon . // called the legislature into special session

Q: How are the words 'convene' and 'convoke' related as synonyms of 'cite'?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke . // convened the students

Q: When is 'convoke' a more appropriate choice than 'cite'?

In some situations, the words convoke and cite are roughly equivalent. However, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes. // convoked a Vatican council

Q: When would 'muster' be a good substitute for 'cite'?

The synonyms muster and cite are sometimes interchangeable, but muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole. // mustered the troops

Q: When can 'summon' be used instead of 'cite'?

The words summon and cite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, summon implies the exercise of authority. // was summoned to answer charges

cite

verb

ˈsīt

Definition of cite

as in to mention

to give as an example cited several experts' opinions to back up her argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to specify

to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically cited a number of similar instances of people surviving plane crashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cite different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of cite are call, convene, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do call and summon relate to one another, in the sense of cite?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

How are the words convene and convoke related as synonyms of cite?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When is convoke a more appropriate choice than cite?

In some situations, the words convoke and cite are roughly equivalent. However, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When would muster be a good substitute for cite?

The synonyms muster and cite are sometimes interchangeable, but muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

When can summon be used instead of cite?

The words summon and cite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

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 cite In 2024, the DSA’s national political committee withdrew its conditional endorsement of her reelection, citing disagreements over Israel and Gaza, among other issues. — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026 Reports citing former employees have alleged that some of the vehicles displayed were far from production-ready prototypes. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 The Georgetown analysis cited two other examples of insurer raising rates. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Avoiding hangovers and the effects of drunkenness were also commonly cited. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cite

Verb

Clever and snappy, fresh and silly, a winning combination of classic Looney Tunes gags and contemporary concerns (the press notes mention many influences including, no joke, The Insider).

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Trump on Thursday even mentioned Xi was coming in a few weeks.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mention

Verb

The suit does not specify how much of the $4 million worth of gas went to Freedom Fuel stations or indicate whether the stations have a relationship with KRSM or Kazmi.

— Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
Instead of sending vague meeting invites, specify the topic so employees do not default to anxiety.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of specify

Verb

But the publication said that the comments that Kramer quoted were taken out of context, and argued that UTA did not dispute the core facts of the article.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Back in 2016, the basketball icon needed to install a home security system only to have a company quote him $60,000 to $80,000.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of quote

Verb

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
These wild swings in the numbers came while residents here didn’t notice any change to the slow but steady arrival of newcomers in dilapidated coaches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

Andrew Brown, Park Forest’s assistant director of economic development and planning, notes that any applicant had to fall in the 60% income bracket of the six-county area of Chicago.

— Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
In line with that argument, reporting on California’s latest lawsuit underscores how central mail-in ballots have become, noting that more than 89% of voters used mail ballots in the state’s June primary.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of note

Verb

Meteorologists said the majority of model guidance does not indicate a credible hurricane threat to California during the second week of September.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
An internal company memo from around the time of the recovery mission — also obtained by CNBC — indicates Coupang coordinated the computer recovery at the behest of a high-ranking national security officer from the South Korean president’s office.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of indicate

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citations

cite

cited

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Style

“Cite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cite. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cite

verb

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Synonyms of cite

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to cite

Inside Our Citation Files

'Cite' vs. 'Site' vs. 'Sight'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

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Popular in Wordplay

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