summon

verb

ˈsə-mən How to pronounce summon (audio)
Definition of summonnext
1
as in to call
to demand or request the presence or service of without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to gather
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers managed to summon a bright smile despite the gloomy day

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to muster
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command summoned a special session of parliament

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of summon are call, cite, convene, convoke, and muster. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

How are the words call and summon related?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When can cite be used instead of summon?

In some situations, the words cite and summon are roughly equivalent. However, cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do convene and convoke relate to one another, in the sense of summon?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When is convoke a more appropriate choice than summon?

The words convoke and summon can be used in similar contexts, but convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When might muster be a better fit than summon?

Although the words muster and summon 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

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 summon During a long private-jet ride back from Davos, Sandberg tries to summon Wynn-Williams to share the jet’s one bed with her. —Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2025 But, as required by state law in cases where people die under suspicious circumstances, a medical examiner was summoned to view her body. —Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025 Teams can summon as many as 30 nonlocal draft prospects to team headquarters for medical exams and meetings with executives and coaches, but not on-field work. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for summon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon
  1. call
  2. gather
  3. muster
  4. ask
  5. convene
  6. invite
  7. assemble
Verb
  • Kia customers can also call customer care at 1-800-333-4542 or check out owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html.
    — Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Congress might also call on President Biden to ban TikTok under the IEEPA.
    — Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
Definition of call
Verb
  • This sort of detail is what McGavin appreciates in the stories she’s gathered.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The festival’s organizers expect to gather 55,000 people per day, totaling 110,000 attendees over the weekend.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of gather
Verb
  • Vitor Pereira arrived at Molineux a virtual unknown in December, but has mustered the steely composure to transform Wolves’ leaky defence while presenting himself as a loose cannon on the touchline.
    — Steve Madeley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Given the difficulty of mustering enough votes in the Senate to remove a judge from the bench, Johnson and other House Republicans are looking more seriously at defunding or eliminating courts that emerge as an obstacle to Trump’s agenda.
    — Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of muster
Verb
  • Her mom has successfully kept her isolated from her grandfather even though Hazel has asked a lot about him and shown interest in getting to know him.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This included when one circuit asked fans of Minions: The Rise of Gru to stop throwing bananas (talk about a slippery slope!).
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • The Material Buyers Club is a group of large purchasers convened by the Green Science Policy Institute.
    — Arlene Blum, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The move-in was cemented Thursday and Friday afternoon with SANDAG’s Shoreline Preservation Working Group and Transportation Committee convening for the first-ever public meetings in the new space.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of convene
Verb
  • The legislation’s Republican sponsor, Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, only invited Ladapo and other critics of fluoridation for the one committee hearing on the issue, held last month.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Guests ages 21 or older are invited to wear prom attire and can meet scientists, get involved at the San Diego Archaeological Center, dig up fossils at the Paleo demo lab, dance along to live music and meet various local organizations.
    — San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of invite
Verb
  • For the Thursday assault, a Russian regiment assembled a dozen armored vehicles in one column—an increasingly rare sight as Russian losses of armored vehicles and other heavy equipment exceed 20,000 and regiments turn to civilian vehicles to keep their troops moving.
    — David Axe, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Coleman Evanston Screen Tent No more struggling for hours trying to set up your tent — the Coleman Evanston Screen Tent can be assembled in just 15 minutes.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of assemble

Browse Nearby Words

summits
summon
summoned
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Cite this Entry

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summon. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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