1
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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 summon The trailer already gives you an idea of the memes that will spawn from this movie, between Grogu using that telescope, summoning a bowl of chips with the Force, riding on a mini speeder with a bunch of Babu Friks, or eating space popcorn at a sporting event with dad. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025 Sometimes the end almost reframes and summons everything that was going on at the beginning. Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 Both OSes have magnifying glass icons and simple keyboard shortcuts to summon the search feature. PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025 Thrown into crisis, King Gwanghae summons Heo Gyun based on clues left behind and questions him about Hong Gildong’s identity. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for summon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon
Verb
  • This zone is crucial for pitch framing, where catchers use their presentation to influence umpires into calling borderline pitches strikes.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Generation X was the first to cope without ubiquitous workplace pensions, relying instead on a new savings tool called the 401(k).
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On Thursday, attendees including Chris Briney, Teyana Taylor and Scott Eastwood, among others, turned out alongside Chanel in-house perfumer creator Olivier Polge for the rooftop gathering off of Madison Square Park, boasting views of the skyline.
    James Manso, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Militaries want robots that scout ahead, gather intelligence on beaches and littoral zones, and carry supplies during complex water-to-shore moves.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But that was all the scoring the Rockies could muster until garbage time, when Hunter Goodman’s two-out, RBI single in the ninth made it 6-2.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Elizabeth thinks for a while, and musters a small smile.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But when officers stand in the road, Dutch Bros customers stop and ask them questions.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • She was asked to write about her devotion to Jesus, and her works were published after her death.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The half-day event and cocktail reception will convene the industry’s most influential executives, marketers, creatives and cultural leaders to explore how brands are breaking through in today’s crowded media landscape.
    William Earl, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, Newsom convened a panel of AI experts, who published a report in June offering policy recommendations.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The two-way contract candidates on Miami’s preseason roster are forward Dain Dainja, guard Trevor Keels, guard Ethan Thompson and guard Jahmir Young, who are all signed to Exhibit 10 training camp invite deals.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Tranquility reigns here, inviting you to truly relax and find peace.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In pursuit of becoming the first back-to-back World Series champs since the Yankees won three in a row starting in 1998, the Dodgers assembled the richest payroll in baseball history.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Her son helps clip succulents and pick pumpkins and in the past his friends have gotten involved in helping assemble the gift bags.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summon. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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