Definition of convokenext
as in to summon
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command convoked the leading experts on juvenile delinquency to study the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word convoke different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convoke are call, cite, convene, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

How do call and summon relate to one another, in the sense of convoke?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

In what contexts can cite take the place of convoke?

The words cite and convoke can be used in similar contexts, but cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How are the words convene and convoke related?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When would muster be a good substitute for convoke?

While the synonyms muster and convoke are close in meaning, 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

When can summon be used instead of convoke?

The meanings of summon and convoke largely overlap; 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 convoke For example, the leader or head of the college is called the dean; one of his duties is to coordinate the conclave that will be convoked in the event a pope dies or resigns. — Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025 Late Friday, politicians both for and against Morales reached an agreement to send to congress a bill to convoke a new presidential election. — Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2019 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation's crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela's constitution. — Fox News, 18 May 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation’s crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution. — Christine Armario, The Seattle Times, 18 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convoke
Verb
  • Trump did nationalize the election, hold his rallies, and summon the party to Dallas for a midterm convention to juice turnout and get the coalition on book.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Countess Ingeborg Kálnoky ran the guest house where witnesses summoned to Nuremberg were lodged, which meant that victims of Nazism and perpetrators of it slept in adjacent bedrooms, passed one another on the stairs and took meals at the same table.
    — Natalie Livingstone, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The buds muster a fairly wide soundstage as well, which helps some of the atmospherics ring out.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The script’s air of inevitability prevents it from mustering up much suspense.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • But on November 29, 1777, a small group of Spanish settlers moved into the area to establish a civilian agricultural town, called El Pueblo de San Jose, to provide food for the missions and presidios.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The leaves are steeped in a hollowed gourd and the drink is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, and the gourd passes from hand to hand among friends, family and sometimes strangers, refilled for hours.
    — ISABEL DEBRE, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Johnson is expected to retain his seat as a rank-and-file member of the House from Louisiana when Congress convenes in January.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Senate is also set to make a historic change when the new Congress convenes.
    — Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Convoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convoke. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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