Synonym Chooser

How is the word convene different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convene are call, cite, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

How are the words call and summon related as synonyms of convene?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When is it sensible to use cite instead of convene?

The words cite and convene can be used in similar contexts, but cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to convene?

The meanings of convoke and convene largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When would muster be a good substitute for convene?

Although the words muster and convene 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

In what contexts can summon take the place of convene?

In some situations, the words summon and convene are roughly equivalent. 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 convene At Scott’s urging, Jesse convenes a men’s group, which is like 16 Joe Rogan podcasts rolled into one and smells like Lynx Lower Body Spray and ZYN. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 June 2025 In 2018, a group of fewer than two dozen MCAS specialists convened in California and started a physician listserv to share knowledge among those treating the condition. Kate Raphael, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2025 DeLeon convened a task force to devise best practices for institutions with historical collections of remains, an area with hardly any regulatory guidance. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 While the administration has so far avoided direct military engagement, U.S. officials confirmed that the USS Nimitz carrier strike group has been deployed to the region, and Trump convened his National Security Council to discuss possible options. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • Initially, DeSales University professor Marie Bolger had also been summoned to court, but her name was removed from a later filing.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
  • Gi-hun summons his courage and spirit in his final moments, defending his values even as his mission decisively fails.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Times pop music critic Mikael Wood and staff writer August Brown gathered to discuss the box set and what to make of its bounty.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
  • Despite its enormous size, Apophis will not impact Earth in 2029, but its very close pass is a once-on-a-lifetime opportunity to gather data that could be critical for humanity’s future.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The largest single barrage Iran could muster throughout the war was just 100 missiles.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
  • Guess his teammates are still too thrilled to have met Trump at the White House earlier this year to muster up the energy to say anything?
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The project sits near Hialeah, where Florida’s Turnpike meets Interstate 75.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
  • Deeper collaboration between military planners, drone manufacturers and battery developers to ensure new technologies meet operational needs.
    Siyu Huang, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Congress might also call on President Biden to ban TikTok under the IEEPA.
    Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Kia customers can also call customer care at 1-800-333-4542 or check out owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • That number is expected to surge this summer — as mass gatherings, major events, and global headlines all converge.
    Jessica Tisch, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
  • Photograph Of The Year Winners Anti crepuscular rays at Cono de Arita in La Puna, Argentina create an atmospheric optical phenomenon that appears as beams of light converging towards a point opposite the sun in the sky.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Gingrich called on members to assemble in the well of the House of Representatives in an executive session.
    Time, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Each garment piece is dyed and washed with a tie-dye effect before being assembled, creating a one-of-a-kind look when combined with other pieces.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Phillies play four at the Miami Marlins before rendezvousing with the Mets on Friday.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • The music was recorded through pure emotional trial and error, rendezvousing his favorite piano composers, including Thelonious Monk, Phillip Glass, and Joni Mitchell.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on convene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!