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 Even though the figures are seldom laid out in detail – even during quarterly earnings calls, one of which Comcast will convene later this month – there is often chatter about up, down or sideways movement on the top line. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 15 July 2025 An aide in the House’s budget-writing committee said legislative leaders planned during Monday’s sessions to convene a six-person negotiating committee that would iron out a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget whose loose ends have dangled over Beacon Hill for weeks. State House News Service, Boston Herald, 14 July 2025 On Friday, Levine Cava convened a closed-door meeting with immigrant advocates to try and quell criticism of her. Miami Herald, 12 July 2025 In April, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, a government body that manages the watershed, convened a special meeting of its Board of Directors. ABC News, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • Geraghty is strong, and Harper is searing, but Messina, though he’s dutifully put on a mustache and a Southern accent, doesn’t summon the menace required for Whalen, which leaves the rather long play running on two wheels.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
  • It was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 to honor his late wife Mumtaz, and artisans from all over the empire, Central Asia, and Iran were summoned.
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Are side effects manageable? Coordinating evidence gathering as well as contracts across state Medicaid agencies is likely to yield a more efficient process while improving access for a substantial majority of SCD sufferers nationwide.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • For more than 50 years, the U.S. government has mulled missions to Mars and never mustered the political will to fund one.
    Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
  • Commissioner Sean Morrison, whose district includes the business property, is opposed to the plan and can possibly muster support from other commissioners if the ZBA makes a recommendation for approval, Nelson-Jaworski said.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • The Quilters meet at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025
  • The superintendent and principal also meet monthly with a student advisory committee, and the student body at each school is routinely surveyed for feedback and input, according to the district.
    Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Congress might also call on President Biden to ban TikTok under the IEEPA.
    Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 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
  • Visitors should also pay attention to what look like lines of dashes converging at the hall's center.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025
  • Wall Street closed the week higher, with tech-heavy indices notching fresh records as upbeat corporate earnings, resilient macro data and breakthrough trade deals converged to boost risk appetite.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • For Palmer, then, the Renaissance is not so much a golden age as a glittering illusion—assembled, reassembled, and ultimately undone by the longings of those who came after.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • The data on the lead lines was contained in hundreds of reports assembled by the state’s water utilities and submitted to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, which regulates drinking water safety.
    Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Chasing Apophis On paper, at least, NASA has a plan to rendezvous with Apophis.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
  • After his New Horizons spacecraft rendezvoused with Pluto, the agency bestowed its highest honor on him - the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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