Synonym Chooser

How is the word convene different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convene are call, cite, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

How are the words call and summon related as synonyms of convene?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When is it sensible to use cite instead of convene?

The words cite and convene can be used in similar contexts, but cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to convene?

The meanings of convoke and convene largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When would muster be a good substitute for convene?

Although the words muster and convene have much in common, 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

In what contexts can summon take the place of convene?

In some situations, the words summon and convene are roughly equivalent. However, 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 convene Last fall, David Remnick, the editor, suggested convening a group to talk about the magazine’s house style, to see if any rules might bear reëxamination. Andrew Boynton, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Hundreds of volunteers from more than 80 area fire departments convened to fight the fires, working through Saturday night. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025 Days after the building collapsed, the task force, including both attorneys representing developers and condominium associations, convened to advise the Legislature on updating condominium laws, with the tragedy in mind. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2025 All seven convened in Lausanne, Switzerland at the end of January to make a 15-minute pitch directly to the voting membership, then had 10 minutes to expand on their platforms and answer questions from reporters. Blythe Lawrence, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • No one called or attempted to call 911 or tried to summon an ambulance, Baton Rouge Police Department Chief Thomas Morse Jr. said at a news conference on Friday.
    Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Turkey, which made significant gains in Syria after Assad was toppled, had previously warned Iran against attempts to destabilize Syria in comments that later triggered Tehran to summon Turkey’s ambassador, Reuters reported, citing state TV.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That will give the company enough satellites to gather data from around the world every 40 to 60 minutes, Elkabetz said, enabling timely updates to its weather forecasting AI.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This context, along with the documentation her lawyer gathered, which included interviews with her siblings showing how her imprisonment had impacted them, was enough for a judge to grant her release from prison.
    Nathaly Triana, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With the game tied at 99 apiece and under one minute left in the fourth quarter, the Knicks mustered a stop on a Lakers offense supercharged by the Luka Doncic mega trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The Brazilian has mustered less than half of Arda’s tally of minutes at 457, and has just four starts which have mainly come in the Copa del Rey amid being unable to dislodge Kylian Mbappe from his starting number 9 berth.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • San Diego college basketball teams are meeting the moment and making history.
    Kate Murphy, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Yet, despite its importance, the world's largest copper mines in regions like Chile, Peru and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are struggling to meet demand amid a global shortage, all while grappling with escalating environmental concerns.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Those in need of shelter from the cold can call 211 to check availability of beds.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Their children’s schoolmates call the sisters the Puffling Queens.
    Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • As Emily continues to investigate the Zhang siblings’ work, their lives converge to devastating effect in the Zhang family dim sum restaurant.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Artists, tastemakers and executives converged in Kingston, Jamaica February 19 through 23, 2025 for the third annual Island Music Conference (IMC).
    Janeé Bolden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The 151-foot statue was assembled in France by 1884 and presented to the U.S. minister to France that same year.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike other cleaners, Eureka’s comes fully assembled, a bonus that customers raved about.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Reportedly ‘Isn’t Thinking About’ Ex Tom Brady and Irina Shayk’s Romance What London rendezvous?
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Feb. 2025
  • SpaceX has yet to conduct a mission to orbit or test out how Starship will rendezvous with another vehicle for refueling in space, a maneuver the company must perfect to supply the vehicle with enough fuel to get to the moon.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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