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 On 23 October, 50 women in leadership across fashion, luxury, beauty and more convened for a private dinner at the Corinthia London. Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025 Last week, the Communist Party’s top ranks convened in Beijing for the Fourth Plenum. Neil Thomas, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 Once lawmakers convene, the special session cannot last more than 30 working days. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025 It is set to convene next week in Mexico City to analyze measles data through the end of October. Erika Edwards, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • Wes Ostgaard, the hiker who summoned rescuers after finding Ortiz's body, told USA TODAY that the extreme conditions on the mountain that day could have tripped up even the most experienced climbers.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • For five years, Ave and the other children trapped there — three of them aged six and under — were brutally pimped by their trafficker until a neighbor summoned the cops.
    Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of gathering experts who advocate for their functional perspective and then compromise, AI enables teams where each member can think holistically across functions.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Grande walks the fan away from the group as staff members gather around the two to assist.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • From onboard drink packages to muster drills, there’s a lot for cruise newbies to take in.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Quarterback Geno Smith was highly ineffective, passing for just 67 yards on 10 completions, while the Vegas run game mustered just 25 yards on 11 carries.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Determined to stop the anti-imperial policies of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, British and French representatives met with Israeli officials in October 1956 to forge a secret agreement for a coordinated offensive against Egypt.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The leaders of the world's biggest economies met at the airport in Busan, an hour's drive away from the APEC host city of Gyeongju, for just an hour and 40 minutes.
    Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But at this point, desperate times call for desperate measures, and that’s where this two win team is.
    Omar Kelly Updated October 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Crowdsourced review website Yelp called on to its elite members to rank the best places to get chocolate treats in the United States, and the reviews say one of the top spots is in Kansas City.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There, Hernández and Pages — a strong-armed center fielder who had subbed into the game moments earlier as a defensive replacement — converged on a ball that appeared to be no easy out.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Iran’s deepening water crisis has taken a dramatic turn, as mounting tensions with Afghanistan over dam projects converge with the near-total collapse of Lake Urmia and growing fears of a humanitarian disaster.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ninety-eight of those flights have been devoted to building out the Starlink megaconstellation, by far the largest satellite network ever assembled.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Oct. 2025
  • All the parts were there, just waiting to be assembled.
    Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ros and his team specialize in shuttling clients by air, over the notoriously nauseating Drake Passage, to rendezvous with a waiting expedition vessel.
    Brad Japhe, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Orion capsule would rendezvous with the Starship in orbit around the moon and transfer two astronauts.
    Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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