cite

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 There’s a didactic, Brechtian structure to the movie — Brecht is cited several times in the dialogue — in which Jude asks the viewer to question what the death of Ion means in a society wracked by rampant capitalism, racist nationalism and religious extremism. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025 Multiple church planters cited Keller as a key influence on their work. Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 18 Feb. 2025 Male, age 30 of Shakopee, was cited for Trespassing. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Both pictures' captions cite the same location as the KRGV article. Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cite
Verb
  • Reid mentioned Swift while speaking to Mike Florio and Chris Simms at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine for NFL on NBC.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In other police matters, the sheriff briefly mentioned LVMPD’s new wellness clinic.
    Liam Hibbert | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Tuesday’s comments are his most detailed yet in specifying other sectors to be hit with fresh barriers if implemented.
    Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Fabio Wajngarten, a lawyer for Bolsonaro, did not immediately comment on the charges but said there would be a statement, without specifying when.
    Eléonore Hughes and Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • To back up that point, the Department quoted from the court’s decision last year on presidential immunity in which a majority of justices said courts can’t examine the president’s actions related to powers the Constitution gave exclusively to the president.
    Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Harris’ email quotes the GAO’s finding that 74% of the overpayments, or $175 billion, went to people who are dead or no longer eligible for government assistance.
    Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But in the past two years, users have begun to notice advertisements for the casino taking up a sizable amount of space online.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Do Republicans even notice the turmoil that is gripping this country?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Mulberry noted that China is the source of over 70% of the household and generic non-food products that Great Value sells such as electronics, accessories, plastic food containers and sporting goods.
    Siddharth Cavale, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
  • However, Carter notes this is a conservative estimate, as certain areas to the north of the city have much more fog potential than the average, producing more than 5 liters per meter of mesh per day.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Asthmatic respiratory crisis indicates the pope struggled to maintain a sufficient oxygen level when breathing on his own, according to medical experts.
    Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Research indicates that relationship satisfaction tends to decrease between the ages of 20 and 40, reaching a low point around age 40.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cite. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cite

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