muster

noun

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

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for muster

Synonyms: Noun

assemblage, assembly, conference, congregation, convocation, gathering, ingathering, meeting

Synonyms: Verb

marshal (also marshall), mobilize, rally

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

For jurists, the most important decision the high court may make is whether that approach passes muster. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, "Supreme Court Accepts First Gun Case in Nearly a Decade," 22 Jan. 2019 Even Western State’s dedicated building for criminal-competency patients — completed in 2020 — might not pass muster with current national hospital standards. — Joseph O’sullivan, The Seattle Times, "Inslee unveils $675 million plan to reverse crisis in Washington’s mental-health system," 12 Dec. 2018 Many ETFs are too new and too small to pass muster with the gate keepers at big brokerage firms. — Asjylyn Loder, WSJ, "Vanguard Aims to Prove Feel-Good Investing Can Deliver Feel-Good Returns," 2 Oct. 2018 As always, the TSA agent has the final say on whether or not the frozen item passes muster. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Bring Your Drink Through Airport Security," 25 Sep. 2018 That information would have been part of their muster drill, required by law to be performed within 24 hours of boarding. — Barbara S. Peterson, Popular Mechanics, "What Went Wrong on the Costa Concordia," 14 July 2014 In fact, a separate question on nurse staffing levels met legal muster Monday. — Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, "Voters won’t be able to weigh in on the millionaires tax. How about the Legislature?," 19 June 2018 Whether that deal, which would bring together the nation’s third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers, will pass regulatory muster is far from certain. — Dana Cimilluca, WSJ, "M&A Market Headed for a Record, Powered by Tech Disruption, AT&T Ruling," 1 July 2018 In the weeks ahead, Comcast and Disney are expected to work overtime to convince Fox shareholders that each will have an easier time passing regulatory muster. — New York Times, "Comcast Offers $65 Billion for 21st Century Fox, Challenging Disney," 13 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Talking about it this morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was only able to muster the glum resolution of a man contemplating a vegan hotdog. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Dems face big loss, big opportunity with Kavanaugh," 10 July 2018 Fultz, finally mustering up the courage to shoot the dice in the board game, promptly breaks Joel Embiid’s character’s face. — Ej Smith, Philly.com, "'Game of Zones' pokes fun at Sixers Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz in latest episode," 24 May 2018 In a class taught by none other than Vladimir Nabokov, Marty was once the only student who could muster a correct answer about Dickens. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "How Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Late Husband, Marty, Helped Her Reach Her Potential," 23 Feb. 2019 In better news for the beleaguered British leader, a leading pro-Brexit lawmaker acknowledged that the rebels haven’t mustered the numbers for a leadership challenge. — Jill Lawless, The Seattle Times, "May gets rebellion reprieve, but faces warning from allies," 20 Nov. 2018 However, the most telling stat about Zaha is that in nine matches without him, Roy Hodgson's side couldn't even muster a point. — SI.com, "Crystal Palace Star Wilfried Zaha Offered Massive New Contract to Ward Off Interest From Spurs," 20 June 2018 One big swing by Eric Thames was all the Milwaukee Brewers' offense could muster on Wednesday afternoon. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 2, Reds 0: Another homer from Thames does it as Brewers win game, series," 18 Apr. 2018 Amateurs might be able to shape objects in their hands with all the skill that an expert user of SolidWorks now musters using a keyboard and mouse. — Jerry Beilinson, Popular Mechanics, "When Virtual Reality Goes Beyond Gaming," 25 Mar. 2014 Why is Miles so explosively angry over the influx of hipsters into his neighborhood, while Collin can’t muster the same response? — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Blindspotting is the rare buddy comedy that tackles social issues. It works.," 19 July 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more