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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Eli Wallach convokes The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Armond White, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023 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. Christine Armario, The Seattle Times, 18 May 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation's crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela's constitution. Fox News, 18 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convoke
Verb
  • Naturally, the orphans start being tormented by a demon, who was summoned after the girl’s parents prayed to whatever entity would bring their daughter back.
    Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • However, when Astrid breaks open a portal to the afterlife, Lydia is forced to summon the pinstriped menace who's never really left her mind to try and save her family.
    James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For the second straight game, Charlotte mustered just three points in the first half.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • As a haunted doll, Annabelle has all sorts of merchandizing opportunities that other demons just can’t muster.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Southlake Carroll’s game against Hebron was also called official with the Dragons leading 35-7 in the third quarter.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Representatives for James have called the fraud claims made against her politically motivated and false.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Community builders don’t just convene.
    Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With the Catholic Church suddenly left without a pope, Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) convenes a conclave to elect a successor and opens the door to a closet full of skeletons surrounding the leading candidates.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Convoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convoke. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on convoke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!