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 The meeting was convened after Estonia requested consultations under Article 4, a mechanism that prompts urgent talks among allies. Matthew Bodner, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025 Poland also invoked the alliance’s Article 4 pillar, convening NATO members for consultation over threats to a member. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 25 Sep. 2025 All week, leaders from around the world have convened in New York City for Climate Week amid the United Nations General Assembly meeting. Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 Leaders in the public television documentary sector are set to convene at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas for a crucial summit, weeks after Congress yanked funding for the entity that supports public media. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • There, officers were summoned to the front of a nearby home where a man was found just outside.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth yesterday summoned the Pentagon's top commanders from around the world to a meeting in Virginia next week.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On Thursday, attendees including Chris Briney, Teyana Taylor and Scott Eastwood, among others, turned out alongside Chanel in-house perfumer creator Olivier Polge for the rooftop gathering off of Madison Square Park, boasting views of the skyline.
    James Manso, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Militaries want robots that scout ahead, gather intelligence on beaches and littoral zones, and carry supplies during complex water-to-shore moves.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But that was all the scoring the Rockies could muster until garbage time, when Hunter Goodman’s two-out, RBI single in the ninth made it 6-2.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Elizabeth thinks for a while, and musters a small smile.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sarah and Chris Cooper, innkeepers of the Margin Street Inn, explained the balance of life in a town where global celebrity meets generations of tradition.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Hop on a train ride, meet cute animals at a petting zoo, play games and create crafts.
    Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This zone is crucial for pitch framing, where catchers use their presentation to influence umpires into calling borderline pitches strikes.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Generation X was the first to cope without ubiquitous workplace pensions, relying instead on a new savings tool called the 401(k).
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The beams of this sturdy plot structure support the freewheeling improv performances that take place within, allowing for a final seamless narrative where all the disparate subplots converge.
    THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
  • This means several hundred of these high-ranking officials are expected to converge upon the Marine base at once.
    Luis Martinez, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In pursuit of becoming the first back-to-back World Series champs since the Yankees won three in a row starting in 1998, the Dodgers assembled the richest payroll in baseball history.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Her son helps clip succulents and pick pumpkins and in the past his friends have gotten involved in helping assemble the gift bags.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Only four days long, the mission stood out for demonstrating all of the skills needed to send astronauts to the moon, including rendezvousing and docking with an Agena target and the first successful spacewalks conducted by crewmate Buzz Aldrin.
    Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2025
  • On their way out of Belarus, the American convoy stopped on a village road to rendezvous with a van driven by the KGB.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 8 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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