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
  • Those in need of shelter from the cold can call 211 to check availability of beds.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Their children’s schoolmates call the sisters the Puffling Queens.
    — Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2023
Definition of call
Verb
  • After gathering this information, design a one-page welcome document that clearly outlines: my working hours, response time expectations, preferred communication channels, meeting protocols, feedback process, and any other relevant boundaries.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In late 2024, the Biden administration devoted more surveillance aircraft to gather information about Houthi targets.
    — Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of gather
Verb
  • Vitor Pereira arrived at Molineux a virtual unknown in December, but has mustered the steely composure to transform Wolves’ leaky defence while presenting himself as a loose cannon on the touchline.
    — Steve Madeley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Given the difficulty of mustering enough votes in the Senate to remove a judge from the bench, Johnson and other House Republicans are looking more seriously at defunding or eliminating courts that emerge as an obstacle to Trump’s agenda.
    — Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of muster
Verb
  • Now the Mediterranean-style digs high above Malibu Canyon have popped up for sale, asking a speck under $13 million.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The actor adds that he was once asked if a company could use his voice and declined.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • The Material Buyers Club is a group of large purchasers convened by the Green Science Policy Institute.
    — Arlene Blum, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The move-in was cemented Thursday and Friday afternoon with SANDAG’s Shoreline Preservation Working Group and Transportation Committee convening for the first-ever public meetings in the new space.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of convene
Verb
  • Legendary invited Minecraft influencers to the set, gave them shout-outs in the movie, and invited 30 of them to the London world premiere.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
  • As previously reported, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz last month invited The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal chat in which top Trump administration officials discussed a plan for bombing Houthi targets in Yemen.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 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
  • Amazon will assemble that big constellation over more than 80 launches, the majority of them performed by the Atlas V and its successor, ULA's new Vulcan Centaur.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 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 16 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of summon for Spanish Speakers

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