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 No matter how divided U.S. politics may feel, tens of millions of citizens will all do the same thing today — exercise their right to vote. —

Aïda Amer, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 There was a debate amongst the Founding Fathers on whether the next president of the United States should be chosen by Congress or through a popular vote among eligible citizens. —

Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Rising Arrests Amidst Tensions Woodland's situation is emblematic of a troubling trend: the increasing arrest of American citizens in Russia while relations between Moscow and Washington reach post-Cold War lows. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 If Proposition 127 passed, mountain lions and bobcats could not be legally hunted, though Colorado Parks and Wildlife and regular citizens would still be able to legally kill animals that become a threat, in certain situations. —

Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for citizen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for citizen

Noun

Trump has vowed to use the National Guard and other parts of the military to round up as many as 11 million foreign nationals, despite U.S. law that forbids the deployment of armed forces against civilians.

Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Four Indian nationals in Canada have since been charged with Nijjar's murder and are awaiting trial.

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024