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

Relevance

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 Those 20 words--all but three of them single syllables--summon a flood of thoughts and images and memories and ruminations. — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 Eventually, a school police officer, Vincent Ramirez, was summoned. — Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026 Video footage of that night was captured by Lopez’s younger sister, who was outside with her brother smoking on the front lawn of their parents’ home when the two officers arrived and summoned Lopez out into the street, according to Kremer. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Ahead of Tuesday’s announcement, Greek opposition parties had called on the Foreign Ministry to summon Guilfoyle to respond to the allegations made against her. — Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon

Verb

Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Later, however, a faithful replica, also called the Atlantic, was built.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of call

Verb

The question is going to voters because opponents gathered petition signatures forcing a referendum.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Allen took only two dribbles — one before midcourt and one after — gathered his feet, and pulled up from the left side of the arc.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of gather

Verb

The person asked a mutual contact to warn Rosman, according to three people familiar with that exchange.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Attendees asked engineers to provide preliminary cost estimates for street lighting running from the stadium connection north to Swepco Road.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of ask

Verb

Early Monday, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani convened the press for an announcement.

— Nicole Gelinas, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Parliament convened an emergency session on Sunday and was expected to approve the resolution on Tuesday, but the vote was postponed until next Monday.

— Ahmed Shawkat, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of convene

Verb

Successful candidates will then be invited to spend a day at the bank’s offices where they are tested on banking regulation, their use of AI, and their ability to build calculations.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Her singing caught the attention of Abboud Saadi, the bassist for Lebanon’s most famous singer, Fairuz, who invited her to a recording session with Bypass Studio owner Ziad Rahbani.

— Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of invite

Browse Nearby Words

summits

summon

summoned

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summon. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of summon

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes