Definition of convenenext

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 Housing Supply Frameworks Act directs HUD to convene a task force to develop model zoning codes tailored to urban, suburban, and rural contexts. Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 The group convened last week to discuss next steps and receive feedback from other cities on the discussions in Dallas, according to a memo from Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026 Shapiro appeared at synagogues and community events on Obama's behalf and convened a listening session for him with prominent Jewish leaders. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 The company just extended the deadline for the tender offer to February 20, and WBD plans to convene a special meeting of shareholders to vote on the transaction. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • When summoned before a congressional committee in December, Noem struck a defiant tone.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
  • An esoteric tradition takes Solomon’s wisdom to be the Ars Goetia, ritual magic used to summon and bind demons.
    Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • By combining enhanced light-gathering capability with advanced image processing, Hollyland says the Lyra achieves the kind of image quality more usually associated with mirrorless cameras, but in a more compact form factor.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • On Thursday, Greystone's linemen gathered for a crucial safety briefing, underscoring the importance of caution during what could become a hazardous, multi-day operation.
    Nakell Williams, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Mary Katherine was in shock, but eventually mustered up the courage to go to her parents’ room and tell them that her sister had been taken away.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
  • New England could only muster 13 points, the Patriots turned the ball over five times and the Broncos went on to win, 27-13.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The minors were child actors who met Busfield on the set of the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director, according to the arrest warrant, issued by Officer Marvin Kirk Brown.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Jeff Brady, executive director of communications for the district, said Tiger Team Two met at least once a month from September to December to discuss and evaluate school enrollment, the capacity and upkeep and condition of each campus, finances and boundaries for each school.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Calò, a 46-year-old Sicilian, speaks passionately about El Popo, as Mexicans call the volcano, rattling off trivia.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the CMPD Homicide Unit at 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a detective.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The question isn't whether AI capabilities will converge.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Protests continue Protesters continued to converge at the scene of the shooting despite dangerously cold weather.
    Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, actually building the mechanism and assembling all the gears and pulleys is a little crash course in engineering and construction that's sure to get their own brain's cogs turning.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Even so, when taken together with earlier studies, the results make a strong case that space itself can assemble key pieces of life’s chemistry long before Earth‑like environments come into play.
    William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In July 2026, a Chinese sample-return mission is expected to rendezvous with 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, a near-Earth asteroid.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2025
  • Otter Pup 1 was supposed to rendezvous with the space tug that deployed it into orbit, but that parent vehicle experienced an anomaly that scuttled that plan.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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