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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
  • Video footage of that night was captured by Lopez’s younger sister, who was outside with her brother smoking on the front lawn of their parents’ home when the two officers arrived and summoned Lopez out into the street, according to Kremer.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Eleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia’s ambassador.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The wealth tax opponents have applied the age-old technique of mustering superficially plausible, but largely imaginary, consequences of passage.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Even making an attack a billion times faster might still leave it requiring more computing power than anyone could realistically muster, AI or no AI.
    — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • It was put on by a company called Candle House, which, though little-known as of yet in the theatrical mainstream, has enough of a cult national reputation that nearly all of the 76 shows sold out pretty much just on word of mouth, at $247 a pop.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The pop-up, called Sheep, debuted on July 8 in the rooftop restaurant space at the hotel, offering a $95 per person four-course tasting menu focused on open-fire cooking.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Beyond the public program, SFFILM’s artist development team will convene Doc Congress, a day of dialogue and networking for filmmakers, funders, and industry professionals.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The group, convened by the Federation of State Medical Boards, isn’t the only one hoping to influence regulation.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Convoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convoke. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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