as in to summon
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command convoked the leading experts on juvenile delinquency to study the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of convoke are call, cite, convene, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

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

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

In what contexts can cite take the place of convoke?

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

cited for drunken driving

How are the words convene and convoke related?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When would muster be a good substitute for convoke?

While the synonyms muster and convoke are close in meaning, 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

When can summon be used instead of convoke?

The meanings of summon and convoke largely overlap; 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 convoke For example, the leader or head of the college is called the dean; one of his duties is to coordinate the conclave that will be convoked in the event a pope dies or resigns. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025 Eli Wallach convokes The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Armond White, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023 Late Friday, politicians both for and against Morales reached an agreement to send to congress a bill to convoke a new presidential election. Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2019 Colombian President Ivan Duque convoked the summit to enhance cooperation that began with the 1978 signing of a treaty by eight Amazon nations but which has stalled even as threats from climate change and unchecked development have increased. Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019 Demonstrators are demanding new elections, but Maduro has vowed instead to resolve the crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite the constitution. Washington Post, 30 June 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation’s crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution. Christine Armario, The Seattle Times, 18 May 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation's crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela's constitution. Fox News, 18 May 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve the crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite the nation’s constitution, a proposition that has further infuriated the opposition. Washington Post, 12 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convoke
Verb
  • That plan may preclude the Astros from summoning Smith to the major leagues for the remainder of 2025.
    Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The team summons Baltazar and Chipembere, who confirm that it was kept near the urn.
    David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The home support, angry at referee Rob Jones throughout, could barely muster an appeal for a penalty given the cleanness of the challenge.
    Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The speaker seems to want to get through this as quickly as possible, with as much dignity as can be mustered.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
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
  • Anyone who would like to get connected to treatment, or knows someone who does, can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org at any day or time.
    Hartford Courant, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • 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
  • The students applied for a nomination from Peters’ office in the fall and were selected after an interview process with the Service Academy Nominations Board that Peters’ office convened.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convoke. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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