cite

verb

ˈsīt How to pronounce cite (audio)
Definition of citenext
1
as in to mention
to give as an example cited several experts' opinions to back up her argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
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 Jesse Heer, a 32-year-old Madison business owner, also backed Hong, citing her focus on affordability as the top reason for his vote. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Transit and law enforcement leaders have cited significant decreases in crime on the system following that boost in law enforcement hours, which includes officers from the Cook County sheriff’s police. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 During a brief conversation, the operator cited specific system standards to explain how decisions were made at the field level. — Adam Povlitz, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Arendt then cited Wilhelm Marr’s Sieg des Judentums über das Germanentum (The Victory of Judaism over Teutonism, 1869), thus lining up all the antisemitic pipe dreams that came close to fulfillment. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cite
  1. mention
  2. specify
  3. quote
  4. notice
  5. note
  6. indicate
Verb
  • Like Southampton and as mentioned above, Norwich finished strongly after a slow start.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This is consistent across multiple studies, repeated in different countries around the world, including those mentioned in today’s press conference.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mention
Verb
  • Today, to qualify for a CEP grant, hopefuls must show popular support by raising a sum specified for their office in contributions between $5 and $340 and a number of donors must be future constituents.
    — Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The façade was lighted from below by the exterior lights that specified the building, separated it from the other night buildings.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of specify
Verb
  • When the National Review advocates impeaching a Republican president and favorably quotes Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, that’s news.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Sales adds quoting tools, Finance installs billing systems and RevOps layers on dashboards.
    — Ashish Srimal, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of quote
Verb
  • Orange County beachgoers notice that there's a lot of stingrays lately, and lifeguards say the warm water, especially in places where the surf is relatively calm, is contributing to a dramatic increase in the number of stingray incidents.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Apartments with sticky floors and landlords absentee enough not to notice, or care, if a living room became a mosh pit.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of notice
Verb
  • Energy supply disruptions remain a key market concern, with tanker traffic through the strait still subdued, said Lloyd Chan, senior currency analyst at MUFG Bank in Singapore, noting that Brent prices remain way above above pre-conflict levels.
    — Chloe Taylor,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Struijk and Svoboda both captained their former clubs and Vuskovic’s leadership qualities were noted during his spell last season with Hamburg.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of note
Verb
  • The report also indicated that Chinese developers continued to use Nvidia chips for training advanced models despite efforts to expand domestic alternatives.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • State inspection records show multiple water quality and safety violations at Hialeah's Bucky Dent Water Park, indicating concerns beyond the permitting issues city officials have publicly cited for the facility's closure.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicate

Browse Nearby Words

citations
cite
cited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cite. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cite

Nglish: Translation of cite for Spanish Speakers

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