Synonyms of summon

summon

verb

ˈsə-mən 

1

as in to call

to demand or request the presence or service of

without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• call
• ask
• invite
• hail
• send for
• request
• order
• cite
• invoke
• muster
• convene
• assemble
• subpoena
• call up
• call out
• bid
• convoke
• demand
• beckon
• ring
• command
• requisition
• page
• whistle
• knell
• buzz

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• send (away)
• dismiss
• turn away
• banish
• expel
• cast out
• eject
• oust
• run off
• out
• rout
• throw out
• boot (out)
• turf (out)
• kick out
• drum (out)

2

as in to gather

to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers

managed to summon a bright smile despite the gloomy day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gather
• elicit
• evoke
• get up
• conjure (up)
• raise
• educe

3

as in to muster

to bring together in assembly by or as if by command

summoned a special session of parliament

Synonyms & Similar Words

• muster
• call
• convene
• assemble
• convoke
• gather
• rally
• collect
• call up
• call out
• call in
• amass
• reconvene
• group
• round up
• reassemble
• knell

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissolve
• break up

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of summon are call, cite, convene, convoke, and muster. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

How are the words call and summon related?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When can cite be used instead of summon?

In some situations, the words cite and summon are roughly equivalent. However, cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

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

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When is convoke a more appropriate choice than summon?

The words convoke and summon can be used in similar contexts, but convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When might muster be a better fit than summon?

Although the words muster and summon 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of summon

Those videos and the weapon were among the reasons the Biden administration summoned about half a dozen victims to the White House with about two months left in the president's term. —Scott Pelley, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

Adam is summoned back, leaving Caroline alone with these strangers in this very strange place. —John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Throughout the 2010s, the YouTube algorithm would summon a mysterious transmission. —Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2026

The billionaires were among seven people House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer summoned in letters sent Tuesday for the panel’s investigation. —Mike Dorning, Bloomberg, 4 Mar. 2026