SUBPOENA Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

subpoena 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈpē-nə

Definition of subpoena

as in summons

a written notice ordering a person to appear in court received a subpoena to appear as a witness for the prosecution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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subpoena

2 of 2

verb

as in to cite

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Dissimilar Words

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 subpoena

Noun

The court returned the case to the district court to consider the clinic’s remaining arguments that the subpoena is overly broad and would impose an undue burden on the small provider. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026 As Black and his team left the room, the committee’s general counsel issued subpoenas for his return. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Congressional oversight relies on the ability to subpoena documents and testimony. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 9 June 2026 This phenomenon, which could control the box office and resale platforms, led the New York and New Jersey attorneys general to subpoena FIFA in late May. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpoena

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpoena

Noun

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ended the practice of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for minor infractions this year.

— Ali Bauman, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
To that end, Kersten said, the TLC issued more than 3,500 summonses for unlicensed operations in the first six months of 2026 — compared to 4,369 such summonses issued during all of 2025.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of summons

Verb

Dawn Rush, an organizer with North Decatur Action, cited figures showing the number of cameras connected to Atlanta's surveillance network growing from roughly 3,300 in 2021 to more than 28,000.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
As well as the life sentence, Hui was also ordered to forfeit his personal assets and was stripped of all political rights, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a verdict handed down by a court in the southern metropolis of Shenzhen.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

But on Wednesday, Chris Bonelli, Waymo’s product communications manager, summoned one of the all-electric, custom robotaxis to the flowering neighborhood park not far from Cherry Creek to demonstrate the technology to the press.

— Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
In Ohio, Haitians are being summoned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices and fitted with electronic ankle monitors.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of summon

Verb

The person requested anonymity due to the sensitivity in speaking with foreign media.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport has an ablution station installed in Terminal D, which Abbott is requesting the Justice Department look into.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

From there, enter 26-131 in the proceedings window/box (which is the first one shown on the page) and that should automatically call up the case of the early renewal filings for Disney’s ABC stations.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Joey Meneses had an RBI single in his Athletics debut after being called up from the minors before the game.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Definition of call up

Verb

The Senate Finance Committee recently convened lawmakers to begin figuring out ways to shore up Social Security’s finances.

— Marc Goldwein, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
In May, businesses and organizations convened by the foundation called for governments to use policy to remove economic barriers to resale and repair while supporting infrastructure and investment for textile-to-textile recycling.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of convene

Verb

Appearing on Fox News on Thursday, Vance was asked how the conflict could ultimately end.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Women considering enlistment are generally more likely to ask practical questions about pregnancy policies, hygiene and whether barracks were coed, recruiters and women currently serving explained.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ask

Browse Nearby Words

subplots

subpoena

subpoenaed

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“Subpoena.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpoena. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of subpoena

noun

verb

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