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 Japan did not surrender until September 1945, though Xi and Putin convened for a joint celebration which will take place in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday and will include a large contingent of Chinese troops. Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025 With the whole group convened in Cynthia’s iconic living room, Brit prods at Angela, saying the prophet was spot on with her readings. Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 5 May 2025 The lawmakers convened as leadership is looking to hold a meeting to finalize and advance the Ways and Means Committee’s portion bill full of President Trump’s legislative priorities next week. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 1 May 2025 This group of cardinals will convene to choose the new pontiff. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • An urbane middle-aged couple was summoned to the bar for prime seats just as the man was pulling up a BBC video about barnacle geese, a species that nests on high cliffs and whose flightless newborns fling themselves hundreds of feet to reunite with their grazing parents.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
  • Shoeless Joe was also summoned from the corn fields and brought back to ballot life by the commissioner’s ruling this week.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Gattuso encouraged the family to humanize Pelkey, and gathered about 50 letters of support, including family, friends, elementary school teachers and military buddies, Wales said.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Townspeople of Genazzano gathered in the square outside the main church housing the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) sanctuary as Leo arrived and greeted them.
    Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Brown, his Superman strength sapped, mustered only five points in the second quarter, as Boston staggered to just 38 points as a team.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • But the Victoire mustered only one win — 3-2 in quadruple overtime — en route to another early exit from the postseason.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Sutton and Rogers met before her murder and are believed to have slept together.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Trump has encouraged the leaders to meet but downplayed Putin's refusal.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • If the bill was a mistake, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS to report it.
    Louise Norris, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Kia customers can also call customer care at 1-800-333-4542 or check out owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Domínguez, playing left field, and Bellinger converged on it.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Her new subjects converge on the winter wonderland boasting all manner of dysfunction.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • My daughter's charcoal box was assembled by mixed media artist Nikoli Shaver and included a graphite starter kit, a small pack of media-appropriate paper, an eraser, charcoal pencils, and more.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 17 May 2025
  • After the wild third act in Final Destination Bloodlines, the credits begin to roll with a view of the newspaper clippings that Stefanie assembled.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The Shenzhou 20 spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous and dock at the Tiangong space station around 6.5 hours after launch.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • On February 28, it is set to look even more glamorous, as everyone who’s anyone in French film will rendezvous here to celebrate the César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars.
    Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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