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 Poland's Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, over the incidents. —Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025 In response to Poland’s allegations, Russian Charge d'Affaires Andrei Ordash told Russian state media Ria Novosti that he had been summoned by the Polish Foreign Ministry and that Warsaw provided no evidence of the drones being of Russian origin. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025 Fixed a bug where spirits summoned by Revenant did not revive if their HPs were depleted. —Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 Then, in February 2021, Chouinard summoned Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert to his home in Ventura and threatened to sell the company. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Sep. 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
  • Was this what some people called analytic contentment?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Laura Ashley has also worked with fragrance specialists Freckleface on a handmade candle called Vintage 100 that combines two of Laura’s favorite scents, English rose and wild blackberries.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of call
Verb
  • The day after Kirk’s murder, his supporters gathered at Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix to pay their respects to the man who built a movement.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Based on a video shared by Hello Magazine, the princess took a few seconds to simply gather her hair into a low ponytail and tie it into a knot.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of gather
Verb
  • For the second straight game, Charlotte mustered just three points in the first half.
    — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • As a haunted doll, Annabelle has all sorts of merchandizing opportunities that other demons just can’t muster.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of muster
Verb
  • Ahead of Kirk's visit to Utah Valley University, some students started an online petition asking university administrators to stop him from coming.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • When asked by a reporter for more details about how Trump planned to ban mail-in ballots, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the administration planned to work with Republicans on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • Community builders don’t just convene.
    — Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With the Catholic Church suddenly left without a pope, Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) convenes a conclave to elect a successor and opens the door to a closet full of skeletons surrounding the leading candidates.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of convene
Verb
  • According to folklore, failure to notify the bees invites disaster.
    — Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • During my late April stay, the water was still and inviting—ideal for a morning kayaking session, gliding quietly across the lake's surface.
    — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of invite
Verb
  • Netanyahu said Israeli forces were organising and assembling into Gaza City.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Tuesday’s report states that HHS will assemble a working group of federal officials to evaluate SSRI prescribing patterns, specifically among children.
    — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2025.

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