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 World leaders are set to convene at the EU-UK summit in Brussels next month. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The new definition, developed by an international panel of medical experts convened by the medical journal The Lancet, requires evidence of both excess body fat and related health problems or limitations in daily activities. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Prayer fires are an important O’odham tradition, often convened in moments of communal struggle. — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026 Attendees at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit in Los Angeles on October 17 will get an answer to that question when our Pitch Me panel convenes Hollywood decision makers to break down their process of vetting pitches. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convene

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene

Verb

Video footage of that night was captured by Lopez’s younger sister, who was outside with her brother smoking on the front lawn of their parents’ home when the two officers arrived and summoned Lopez out into the street, according to Kremer.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Eleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia’s ambassador.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of summon

Verb

Dabrowski’s favorite moment came outside the livestream of the Telfar event from New York, where young Parisians gathered in a spirit of community, dressing with individuality rather than for the cameras.

— Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Under the White House pool system, the networks -- ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC -- rotate responsibilities for gathering and distributing footage of the president's daily movements.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of gather

Verb

The Sox won the American League West by 20 games with a 99-63 record but couldn’t muster much offense against the Orioles.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Some of the Middle Eastern countries still maintain interests that are driving the conflict, while other outside actors don’t seem able to muster the leverage to persuade warring parties to cease hostilities.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of muster

Verb

It was put on by a company called Candle House, which, though little-known as of yet in the theatrical mainstream, has enough of a cult national reputation that nearly all of the 76 shows sold out pretty much just on word of mouth, at $247 a pop.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The pop-up, called Sheep, debuted on July 8 in the rooftop restaurant space at the hotel, offering a $95 per person four-course tasting menu focused on open-fire cooking.

— The Know, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of call

Verb

All of it converges on the single event of a physician deciding to write the prescription.

— Harshit Jain, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Chez Fonfon sits at the crux of Five Points South, a neighborhood named for five streets that converge in a star shape where streetcars connecting the then suburb of Highland to the city once rumbled.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of converge

Verb

That arrangement is efficient for moving large volumes over long distances, but assembling trains and coordinating terminal operations can make smaller, short-haul shipments less economical.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
In one of those roles, the chair assembled a formal transition committee that met with me throughout my first six months.

— Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of assemble

Verb

By 2036, the spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous with its final and most intriguing target, 269 Justitia.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Those events prevented Link from rendezvousing with Swift and completing the reboost, and Katalyst had to forego its final incentive payment from NASA.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of rendezvous

Browse Nearby Words

convalescing

convene

convened

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Style

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

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Synonyms of convene

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