Definition of convokenext
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

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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 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 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 his nation’s crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution. Christine Armario, The Seattle Times, 18 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convoke
Verb
  • In one case, an employee was summoned out of her office just before a bullet struck the window in front of her desk.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The tech behemoth briefly restricted a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing students during the Gen Z protests in July, just days after regulators summoned the company over concerns about child-abuse content.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Red Sox tried to muster some late magic, which has become a bit of a hallmark of this wild, never-say-die Boston season.
    Curt Anderson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The resolution there would be unlikely to muster the required 60 votes needed to advance.
    Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Meghan personally called animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, after hearing about 4,000 beagles being rescued from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia.
    Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Five students between 12 and 13 years old were killed in what officials called the worst school shooting in decades.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The initiative’s website has no record of its presidential board of advisers — which is supposed to convene at least once every six months — holding a single meeting.
    Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Minutes before the panel was to convene in April, Cherfilus-McCormick resigned.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Convoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convoke. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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