SUBPOENA Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

subpoena 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈpē-nə

Definition of subpoena

as in summons

a written notice ordering a person to appear in court received a subpoena to appear as a witness for the prosecution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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subpoena

2 of 2

verb

as in to cite

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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 subpoena

Noun

In exchange, Penn agreed to dismiss its appeal of a lower court ruling that had required it to comply with the subpoena. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 July 2026 Government lawyers agreed to withdraw the subpoenas during the hearing. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Verb

Congressional oversight relies on the ability to subpoena documents and testimony. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 9 June 2026 This phenomenon, which could control the box office and resale platforms, led the New York and New Jersey attorneys general to subpoena FIFA in late May. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpoena

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpoena

Noun

Out of that number, 41 received criminal court summonses and were let go, while 15 were criminally charged and sent to court.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
Offenses like blowing red lights or running stop signs are currently handled via civil summonses.

— Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Definition of summons

Verb

In statements, the groups’ leaders largely cited concerns that the tax wouldn’t address their most pressing funding concerns and would endanger California’s long-term fiscal health.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
State officials provided a version of the rolls but withheld sensitive personal information, citing privacy concerns.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

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
Their identities are revealed by a mechanical fortune teller named The Amazing Karnak (Sydney Harmon), who summons the memories of each teen in order to give one lucky soul a chance to return to life.

— David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of summon

Verb

Some immigrants requested more time before their next hearings, presenting evidence of having been defrauded by unscrupulous attorneys profiled in local news reports.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
The sheriff's office requested photos or videos that may show the child on a raft or boat with other children before the incident, as well as anyone who may have witnessed the child before she was pulled from the water.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

From there, enter 26-131 in the proceedings window/box (which is the first one shown on the page) and that should automatically call up the case of the early renewal filings for Disney’s ABC stations.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Joey Meneses had an RBI single in his Athletics debut after being called up from the minors before the game.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Definition of call up

Verb

After an earlier round of examination scandals in 2024, the government convened a panel of experts that delivered 101 recommendations that October.

— Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
This is a vision that allows Black people to rest, to have agency over their labor and time, to have freedom of movement, to convene together.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Definition of convene

Verb

Managers should call out not just the positive act, but also what exactly the high performer did that led to a positive outcome.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show amid the network’s mass layoffs on Tuesday, July 21, Watt, 37, took the opportunity to call out the 39-year-old host, whose reps reportedly proposed a $100 million salary last month.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Definition of call out

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“Subpoena.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpoena. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of subpoena

noun

verb

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