CONVENE Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

convene

verb

kən-ˈvēn

Definition of convene

as in to summon

to bring together in assembly by or as if by command convened the members of the council for an emergency session

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to gather

to come together into one body or place the conventioneers convened in the auditorium to hear the guest speaker

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 person who convened them was former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 Vance’s remarks came less than two weeks before the Federal Open Market Committee is set to convene and decide whether or not to adjust rates. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 At the same time, as tech companies issue urgent new warnings about the dangers of AI, the Department of Health and Human Services convened childhood experts Tuesday to discuss the harms of excessive adolescent screen use. — Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 But as Jensen made it into the dugout, the umpires convened and reversed the decision. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convene

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene

Verb

What is harder to summon from this distance is the pulsating chaos of that day, hour by hour.

— Ann Gerhart, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
The massive response of a blitz attack — most fire alarms summon only one engine — involves at least four ladder companies, four engine companies, four battalion chiefs, a deputy chief and a rescue squad.

— Peter Wilkinson, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of summon

Verb

Every autumn, as the bay freezes, hundreds of these bears gather around it before heading out across the ice, and thousands of tourists come to see them.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
As my family gathered at my younger brother's apartment in downtown Philadelphia the next day, the mood was deeply heavy.

— Laurel Dalrymple, NPR, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of gather

Verb

In order to meet 2026’s nostalgia quota, here’s a 28-years-later followup to the cult flop about margarita-loving sister witches starring Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2026
The league’s involvement with Highmark or any club is ensuring that all fields meet compliance before NFL use, right?

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of meet

Verb

Polcari and Lucchini emphasized that aerobic fitness reduces sweating and heat suffering, calling high physical fitness nonnegotiable for modern drivers.

— Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
After a 3-2 called third strike with two out to Conine in the ninth was overturned on the ABS review, Zeferjahn retired Otto Lopez on a flyout to right.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of call

Verb

Spending and wage growth have largely converged across income groups, meaning the gaps between how much low-, middle-, and high-income households are earning and spending have narrowed, according to the report.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
What’s Happening Reviews from four national outlets have converged on a short list of standouts in the countertop ice maker category.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of converge

Verb

The latest contract builds on work that began in 2023, when GE Aerospace received initial funding for concept development and assembled the team that would work on the platform.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
The football players receive 60 minutes against a roster that is usually bigger, faster, stronger and assembled with exponentially more money.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of assemble

Verb

According to Treasury, fishing vessels secretly rendezvoused at sea with smaller go-fast boats carrying cocaine north through the eastern Pacific.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Demonstrating future capabilities The mission team is forging ahead with its plan for LINK to rendezvous with Swift — but as a demonstration rather than a rescue.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rendezvous

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convalescing

convene

convened

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“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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