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

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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 Believing him to be days away from death, his manager summoned his five children, including Lily Collins, to be at his bedside for their family version of last rites. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 Dave Dombrowski summoned his assistants, scouts and analysts — everyone and anyone — for daytime meetings followed by a ritual watching of whatever the latest thing is that ails this team. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Italy called for Spain’s suspension from the Schengen open-borders zone within a day of the crossing, and Spain summoned Italy's ambassador in response, a sharp diplomatic exchange between two G7 economies. — Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Spain summoned the Italian ambassador to protest against Tajani's remarks. — Michael Francis Gore, USA Today, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for summon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon

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

Definition of call

Verb

The clubs use that data, as well as additional information gathered through other testing methods, to aid in the management of the training loads and performance of their athletes.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026
People gather at Edge at Hudson Yards in Manhattan in New York City during a 90% partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 in New York City.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of gather

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

Definition of convene

Verb

At the upcoming 64th edition, the festival will launch the new NYFF Encounters initiative, which invites a director with a film in the lineup to shoot a new short film at the festival; each will premiere at the following edition.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
She was invited to be a godparent alongside James Meade, a close lifelong friend of William, Kate’s cousin Adam Middleton, and Thomas van Straubenzee, another longtime friend of William’s who spoke at their 2011 wedding.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of invite

Verb

That mind is a model, an enormous statistical object assembled by feeding it a quantity of text and images nobody has ever fully itemized.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Instead, the first 100 days are likely to be judged by whether the new president establishes credibility, assembles an effective governing team and demonstrates that campaign promises can evolve into a coherent governing strategy.

— Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of assemble

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summits

summon

summoned

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“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summon. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of summon

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