CITIZEN Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'citizen' distinct from other similar nouns?

The words national and subject are common synonyms of citizen . While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people. // the rights of a free citizen

Q: Where would 'national' be a reasonable alternative to 'citizen'?

Although the words national and citizen have much in common, national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state. // American nationals working in the Middle East

Q: When could 'subject' be used to replace 'citizen'?

The meanings of subject and citizen largely overlap; however, subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch. // the king's subjects

citizen

noun

ˈsi-tə-zən

Definition of citizen next

as in national

a person who owes allegiance to a government and is protected by it conscientious citizens who regard voting as a duty as well as a right

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as in villager

a person who lives in a town on a permanent basis claimed that the good citizens of the town were sick of high property taxes

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How is the word citizen distinct from other similar nouns?

The words national and subject are common synonyms of citizen. While all three words mean "a person owing allegiance to and entitled to the protection of a sovereign state," citizen is preferred for one owing allegiance to a state in which sovereign power is retained by the people and sharing in the political rights of those people.

the rights of a free citizen

Where would national be a reasonable alternative to citizen?

Although the words national and citizen have much in common, national designates one who may claim the protection of a state and applies especially to one living or traveling outside that state.

American nationals working in the Middle East

When could subject be used to replace citizen?

The meanings of subject and citizen largely overlap; however, subject implies allegiance to a personal sovereign such as a monarch.

the king's subjects

Examples 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 citizen On August 6, 2020, Trump signed an order stating that any transactions between TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and US citizens would be outlawed. —

Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2025 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has outlined plans to boost assistance to millions of citizens who may face deportation, suggested this week that Los Angeles should use immigrant Mexican workers. —

Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 In 2023, for example, about 60% of those who earned Ph.Ds in computer science from U.S. universities were temporary visa holders, not citizens or permanent residents, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. —

Steven Walker, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2025 Many believe this to be a political action to encourage citizens to engage with their representatives to negotiate a solution. —

Ewan Spence, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for citizen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for citizen

Noun

After downloading it to their phones and entering their passport information, foreign nationals could use the application to smooth their way through border crossings and airports.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
It was also designed to attract foreign nationals seeking a foothold in one of the world’s most progressive and thriving economies.

— Arash Jalili, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025