muster

noun

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mus·ter | \ ˈmə-stər

Definition of muster

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a representative specimen (see specimen sense 1) : sample musters of goods for sale

2a : an act of assembling specifically : formal military inspection Call out the troops to stand muster.

b : critical examination slipshod work that would never pass muster

c : an assembled group : collection a muster of biographical facts — Time

d : inventory were sent … to take the musters of this expedition— G. R. Elton

muster

verb

mustered; mustering\ ˈmə-st(ə-)riŋ

Definition of muster (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to cause to gather : convene

b : to enroll formally —usually used with in or into was mustered into the army

c : to call the roll of

2a : to bring together : collect

b : to call forth : rouse

3 : to amount to : comprise

intransitive verb

: to come together : congregate

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About muster

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Synonyms & Antonyms for muster

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

demob
[chiefly British],
demobilize

Choose the Right Synonym for muster

Verb

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority. was summoned to answer charges call may be used less formally for summon. called the legislature into special session cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge. cited for drunken driving convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes. convoked a Vatican council convene is somewhat less formal than convoke. convened the students 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

Examples of muster in a Sentence

Noun a muster of concerned citizens considering the muster of suggestions that were submitted for “word of the year” Verb They pushed the car with all the strength they could muster. a command to muster the troops

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The prospects for that plan are exceedingly grim, as the Senate’s arbiter of procedural rules has now ruled twice, most recently on Wednesday, that Democrats’ proposals don’t pass muster to qualify for the maneuver, known as reconciliation. — Deepa Fernandes, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2021 The group has the responsibility to ensure that gender-transition treatments meet their criteria by passing scientific muster, peer review and debate. — WSJ, 23 Aug. 2021 Sanford cautions, however, that even with one more flight, New Shepard’s track record may not meet NASA’s muster due to certain details of the agency’s qualification process. — Nola Taylor Redd, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2020 The ruling from the parliamentarian sent Democrats back to the drawing board for ways to include their immigration policies in the $3.5 trillion package that will pass muster. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2021 For starters, Manchin vocally opposed that bill, so anything that might pass muster with him has a slightly better chance of passing. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 17 Sep. 2021 While a handful of carriers have announced an outright ban on fabric masks, others describe the specific types or features that won't pass muster. — Karen Pallarito, Health.com, 16 Sep. 2021 The idea that a government owns the rights to a set of words would not pass muster in the U.S., nor in some western European countries. — David Dawkins, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2021 Florida Education Champions will need to gather 891,589 signatures from Floridians by Feb. 1, and pass constitutional muster with the Florida Supreme Court. — Gray Rohrer, orlandosentinel.com, 25 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Can't muster up interest in another Zoom happy hour? — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE.com, 8 Oct. 2021 Neither team could muster more points until midway through the third quarter when Sam Jaffe’s strip sack led to a fumble recovery by Jack Smith and another short field for the Mustangs (2-0). — BostonGlobe.com, 2 Oct. 2021 Despite a stellar career that included postseason appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, Simmons couldn’t muster the 5 per cent required to stay on the ballot, losing his spot after his first year of eligibility in 1994. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 2 Sep. 2021 After leading Purdue to field goals on its first two series, Plummer couldn’t muster another score, so Brohm changed quarterbacks and O’Connell made the game-turning play for the touchdown with 5 minutes, 44 seconds left in the game. — Michael Marot, chicagotribune.com, 26 Sep. 2021 Quarterback Cade McNamara, who played with ruthless efficiency in the first half while producing 156 passing yards, couldn’t muster the same level of performance after the break. — Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Sep. 2021 Meanwhile, Valentine, Felicio and Arcidiacono are currently not in the league, and Hutchison couldn't muster more than a two-way contract with the Suns. — Morten Jensen, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2021 Facing a returning Chris Sale, who started a game for the first time since Aug. 13, 2019, after having Tommy John surgery, the Orioles didn’t muster much offense Saturday — until the third inning. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 14 Aug. 2021 But despite the initial jolt delivered by Harris’ stop, the Pride couldn’t muster enough offensive firepower to break through the Reign’s backline. — Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 24 July 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for muster

Noun

Middle English mustre, from Anglo-French mostre, monstre, from mustrer

Verb

Middle English mustren to show, muster, from Anglo-French mustrer, monstrer, from Latin monstrare to show, from monstrum evil omen, monster — more at monster entry 1

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