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 Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez summoned industry leaders on Thursday to a presentation of his response plan. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Apr. 2025 This comes despite the retail giant being summoned by the country’s authorities last month. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025 From playwright Kristen Adele Calhoun, Black Cypress Bayou is set on a hot summer night in Texas, where Vernita Manifold (Kimberly Scott) summons her two daughters down to the bayou with a secret too big to keep. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025 Sure enough, Kristen then summoned a parade of cloches, each paired with a different hockey term, and instructed the chefs to pick whichever one struck their fancy. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 27 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
  • However, today most young people rarely call each other.
    — Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives.
    — WSJ, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023
Definition of call
Verb
  • Two Saturdays ago, citizens and immigrants across the country gathered and marched — including tens of thousands in downtown Chicago and the suburbs.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Homicide and crime scene personnel were gathering evidence and speaking with possible witnesses.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of gather
Verb
  • After the Braves mustered a single run in the first inning Friday, the Rays tied the score with a sacrifice fly in the third inning and took the lead on Danny Jansen’s two-run homer in the fourth inning on a first-pitch sinker that Elder left over the plate and up.
    — David O'Brien, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Several were held last month, and more so far in early April. Veterans and those facing possible layoffs mustered outside the Lovell Veterans Affairs Center in North Chicago on Friday.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of muster
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of ask
Verb
  • According to Reuters, Trump on Tuesday convened a Situation Room meeting with top national security officials to discuss Iran's nuclear program ahead of the talks.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • On April 11, more young Danes convened at Aarhus City Hall to honor Isabella's birthday in a tribute to the city's young talent in music, sport, cuisine and design.
    — Meredith Kile, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of convene
Verb
  • Then, on May 12, the Full Moon in Scorpio invites us to take the kind of risk that intimacy requires.
    — Colin Bedell, Them., 18 Apr. 2025
  • The lawsuit alleged Burroughs harassed the couple by showing up to events he wasn’t invited to, lurking outside their room and recording sounds of them in bed.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of invite
Verb
  • The basic act of assembling and protesting the government’s actions is unquestionably protected, according to the First Amendment Coalition, a California nonprofit that’s committed to protecting freedom of speech.
    — Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Just a few years after her 2021 graduation, Montgomery has upward of 200 clients who pay $10,000 for Montgomery’s team to fully design and assemble their dorms on move-in day.
    — Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 9 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2025.

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