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 At Scott’s urging, Jesse convenes a men’s group, which is like 16 Joe Rogan podcasts rolled into one and smells like Lynx Lower Body Spray and ZYN. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 June 2025 In 2018, a group of fewer than two dozen MCAS specialists convened in California and started a physician listserv to share knowledge among those treating the condition. Kate Raphael, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2025 DeLeon convened a task force to devise best practices for institutions with historical collections of remains, an area with hardly any regulatory guidance. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 While the administration has so far avoided direct military engagement, U.S. officials confirmed that the USS Nimitz carrier strike group has been deployed to the region, and Trump convened his National Security Council to discuss possible options. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • Historically, most performers have developed their art by being taken under the wings of friends as part of drag families or drag houses, or by practicing at home and summoning the courage to sign up for open sets at bars.
    David Mack, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
  • The Angels summoned Moore, a second baseman, on June 13 in Baltimore.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • However, runoff from these earlier heavy rain will gather in streams and other low-lying areas and is expected to prompt flash flooding.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
  • Times pop music critic Mikael Wood and staff writer August Brown gathered to discuss the box set and what to make of its bounty.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The largest single barrage Iran could muster throughout the war was just 100 missiles.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
  • Guess his teammates are still too thrilled to have met Trump at the White House earlier this year to muster up the energy to say anything?
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The nomination comes just two days after Trump met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir at the White House.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • Time running out to meet 1.5 degree warming limit Research estimates that the carbon ‘budget’ remaining to avoid passing the critical threshold is less than three years’ worth at current rates.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • However, today most young people rarely call each other.
    Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives.
    WSJ, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Florida Panthers players, thousands of jubilant fans and the coveted Stanley Cup converged several times along State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale as the team celebrated its second consecutive Stanley Cup with yet another parade and beach extravaganza.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
  • Long balls through the middle allow their midfield trio to converge, win possession and reset the attack.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Analysts say it is used to develop and assemble centrifuges for uranium enrichment, a key technology that turns uranium into nuclear fuel.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
  • At the head of assembling these dream weekends of music is CEO Sarah Pancheri, who took over that role in 2024.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The Phillies play four at the Miami Marlins before rendezvousing with the Mets on Friday.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • The music was recorded through pure emotional trial and error, rendezvousing his favorite piano composers, including Thelonious Monk, Phillip Glass, and Joni Mitchell.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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