SUMMON Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: How are the words 'call' and 'summon' related?

Call may be used less formally for summon . // called the legislature into special session

Q: 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

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

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke . // convened the students

Q: 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

Q: 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

summon

verb

ˈsə-mən

Definition of summon

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

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

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 Alibaba is hoping to summon the AI genie from its bottle with a mega share sale. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Long gone are the days when Russian President Vladimir Putin could summon his Syrian counterpart from the presidential palace in Damascus to Hmeimim to meet him. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 But on Wednesday, Chris Bonelli, Waymo’s product communications manager, summoned one of the all-electric, custom robotaxis to the flowering neighborhood park not far from Cherry Creek to demonstrate the technology to the press. — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026 In Ohio, Haitians are being summoned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices and fitted with electronic ankle monitors. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon

Verb

Autumn Joy Stonecrop Also called autumn joy sedum, this hardy, summer- and fall-flowering perennial is known for its succulent foliage and dense clusters of tiny pink flowers.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
The Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb, commonly called HAL, is a robotic exoskeleton designed to support patients during rehabilitation.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of call

Verb

The feeds then went to the pets as the houseguests were set to gather at the dining room table time machine.

— Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2026
King’s eyes gather the world’s hodgepodge, and her hand records with a sensitivity that can come only from fondness.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of gather

Verb

All his administration mustered was a late, failed effort in the summer of 2020 to remove 12,000 troops from Germany.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Josh Lowe hit a sacrifice fly, and Gustavo Campero added an RBI single, but that was all the offense the Angels mustered.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of muster

Verb

On stage, Semafor will convene leaders from across these sectors to explore practical strategies for strengthening resilience, supporting families and educators, improving digital literacy, and expanding access to mental health resources.

— Semafor Events, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Mapping out time took further root in October 1884 during the International Meridian Conference held in Washington, DC, which convened 25 different nations to create a global standard for keeping track of time.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of convene

Verb

So Issa decides to bring out the real Paul Baker by inviting over all his bros.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Romanian actress Alina Șerban (Housekeeping for Beginners, Alone at My Wedding, Gipsy Queen) is inviting us on a cinematic journey into the experience of being a Roma woman.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of invite

Verb

This does, however, seem to be another case of the Netflix name being able to assemble and pay a big-name cast for relatively lackluster results.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Engineers have assembled a prototype air-cooling rig to test the passive safety systems.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of assemble

Browse Nearby Words

summits

summon

summoned

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“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summon. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of summon

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