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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Synonym Chooser

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 Many more await energetic citizen scientists in 2025! —

Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024 Does President Assad himself know what happened to this American citizen, a journalist who was doing his journalistic duty in a combat zone? —

Nathan Hodge, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024 Like in previous years, the live show was dominated by domestic issues, with journalists and ordinary citizens asking about soaring consumer prices and mortgages, paltry pensions and a shortage of doctors. —

Vladimir Isachenkov, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 The intrigue: Senators and representatives who were elected to public office and spent years climbing through the ranks may not take kindly to taking orders from private citizens who are new to the details. —

Neil Irwin, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for citizen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for citizen

Noun

Republicans in Congress, led by the House Administration Committee, have also increasingly scrutinized the Swiss billionaire’s influence and put forth a proposal earlier this year that would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to further restrict donations from foreign nationals.

Gabe Kaminsky, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Dec. 2024
With the exception of foreign nationals, those living there are full citizens of Denmark.

Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024