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 The dock can be summoned on either display, and clicking an icon opens the app on that display. —ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025 The Minnesota Twins went on to score six times against the Dodgers relievers who were summoned by Dave Roberts in the sixth and seventh innings and handed the Dodgers their latest loss, 10-7. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 July 2025 Trump is a longtime fan of Diet Coke, which uses the artificial sweetener aspartame, and even has a button in the Oval Office to summon the drink. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 July 2025 Invoking Pettis Norman’s name might summon recollections of Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick, who transferred from Second Ward High School to Myers Park to break the city’s color line and whose football prowess later led to the desegregation of the Shrine Bowl. —Charlotte Observer, 14 July 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
  • Are side effects manageable? Coordinating evidence gathering as well as contracts across state Medicaid agencies is likely to yield a more efficient process while improving access for a substantial majority of SCD sufferers nationwide.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
    — Mark Cooper, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of gather
Verb
  • For more than 50 years, the U.S. government has mulled missions to Mars and never mustered the political will to fund one.
    — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, a Tigers offense that had mustered only 15 runs in eight games since the All-Star break provided Skubal with only a ground-ball single from Rogers for support.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 27 July 2025
Definition of muster
Verb
  • He was regularly asked about his access to national defense information, prosecutors said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Fastow started by going door to door to dozens of insurance brokers in San Francisco and asking them about their pain points and most time consuming tasks.
    — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • The Texas Legislature is convening for a 30-day special session beginning Monday, and Abbott has added improvements to early warning systems and emergency communications to the agenda.
    — Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • The 119th Congress, which convened on January 3, 2025, for the end of former President Joe Biden's presidency and will conclude in January 2027, is, like any other Congress, important in advancing legislation that affects the lives of the American people in all manner of ways.
    — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of convene
Verb
  • True Modern Mexican invites guests to enjoy their frozen Margarita Al Centro.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • All ages are invited and the gates at Gallagher Square adjacent to Petco Park open at 7 p.m.
    — David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
Definition of invite
Verb
  • Other proceeds will benefit the future Saga Museum of Star Wars memorabilia, assembled by collectors Steve Sansweet, Gus Lopez, Duncan Jenkins, and Lisa Stevens and Vic Wertz.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 July 2025
  • For Palmer, then, the Renaissance is not so much a golden age as a glittering illusion—assembled, reassembled, and ultimately undone by the longings of those who came after.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.

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