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 Just 30 minutes later, she was summoned to help clean. Raven Brunner, People.com, 14 May 2025 Yanez Quintana and three others, whose names are redacted, were summoned to give official statements in March. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025 In their long conversations, Mia summons images and histories of places that Bo never knew existed. Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025 Around 250 cardinals were summoned to Italy for business, including the pope’s funeral and chief among their duties — electing the 267th head of the church. Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for summon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summon
Verb
  • However, today most young people rarely call each other.
    Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives.
    WSJ, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University to protest against Israel's war in Gaza.
    Nik Popli, Time, 22 May 2025
  • During the current Nile Conference, the team has organised watch parties in Nairobi for every game, creating communal spaces for fans to gather, celebrate, and share in the excitement of the team’s historic debut in the continental championship.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • But the Victoire mustered only one win — 3-2 in quadruple overtime — en route to another early exit from the postseason.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Brown, his Superman strength sapped, mustered only five points in the second quarter, as Boston staggered to just 38 points as a team.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Here's why Cassie said Combs threatened to 'blow up' Kid Cudi's car During cross-examination, Ventura Fine was asked about her relationship with rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • That’s the question writer-director Ari Aster’s somber comedy-Western Eddington, playing in competition here at the Cannes Film Festival, appears to be asking.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Foes of the bear hunt traveled from all over the state to Ocala where the wildlife agency’s governing board convened to a standing room crowd at the College of Central Florida.
    Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
  • Maryland legislators still convene here January through April.
    Charles Babington, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • He was invited to join the White House press briefing on April 28 and asked a question about it.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • The top 25 investors were also invited to a special pre-dinner and tour.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • My daughter's charcoal box was assembled by mixed media artist Nikoli Shaver and included a graphite starter kit, a small pack of media-appropriate paper, an eraser, charcoal pencils, and more.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 17 May 2025
  • After the wild third act in Final Destination Bloodlines, the credits begin to roll with a view of the newspaper clippings that Stefanie assembled.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summon. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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