1
2
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

3
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 And that summoned bitter echoes of past humiliation that still resonate in the Iranian psyche today – and affect decisions to be flexible, or to dig in. Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025 In the eighth, Ohtani hit his 26th homer of the season, and position player Kiké Hernandez was summoned to pitch the ninth with the Dodgers leading 13-3. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 22 June 2025 Historically, most performers have developed their art by being taken under the wings of friends as part of drag families or drag houses, or by practicing at home and summoning the courage to sign up for open sets at bars. David MacK, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025 The Angels summoned Moore, a second baseman, on June 13 in Baltimore. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for summon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon
Verb
  • However, today most young people rarely call each other.
    Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives.
    WSJ, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023
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 drama wasn't over after the final vote -- Murkowski appeared exasperated when asked about Paul's criticism over her vote and what deals Alaska might have benefitted from.
    Isabella Murray, ABC News, 1 July 2025
  • This approach allows for subtle control over speech rhythm and tone, giving the user the ability to interrupt, emphasize, or ask questions just as anyone else would.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, whose district includes coastal communities impacted by the Palisades fire, convened a blue ribbon commission to provide recommendations on how to rebuild with challenges posed by climate change in mind.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • This Friday, the Uncharted Annual Summit of heavy hitters, power brokers and movers and shakers are convening on a private home in Southampton.
    Nancy Kane, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Impressed by his talent, Eva mentors him and even invites him to live with them.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 June 2025
  • At present, only those explicitly invited, many of whom are a select group of superfans with large followings in the Tesla community, may hail one of his robotaxis.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 30 June 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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