summoning

verb

present participle of summon
1
as in calling
to demand or request the presence or service of without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gathering
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 mustering
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command summoned a special session of parliament

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 summoning Before this dilemma can play out, Hal triggers an Indiana Jones–esque booby trap inside the compound’s stronghold, summoning Macon’s men with their advanced weaponry. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 After the initial group of firefighters got to the scene, a second alarm was called, summoning more fire and hazardous material crews to the blaze. — Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 The friends haven’t seen each other in some time, though Frankie spends many an evening parked outside the hospice in his car, summoning the gumption to visit. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 The woods could be hiding places of witches and sorcerers, disguised as the old and feeble, but capable of summoning wonder and terrors, charms as well as curses. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Various Maji clans such as the Omi Clan, or Maji of Water, and Ikú Clan, or Maji of Life and Death, practice different forms of magic, with Omi Tiders wielding waves and Ikù Reapers, like Zelie’s mother, summoning souls. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 July 2026 The book recounts the Russian attack on the town through the eyes of a magical forest spirit who protects it, summoning floodwaters and winds to drive away the invaders. — Constant Méheut, New York Times, 27 July 2026 Attendees will enter the iconic Lament Configuration puzzle box, summoning the Cenobites and opening a gateway to a dimension full of unspeakable horrors. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 Led by Kane and Jude Bellingham, a prince of the midfield, England had played with courage and vim at the World Cup, summoning goals and desperate tackles. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summoning
  1. calling
  2. gathering
  3. mustering
  4. asking
  5. assembling
  6. hailing
  7. convening
  8. inviting
Verb
  • On Wednesday, Fleury will operate from the sidelines after calling plays on the field for two of Seattle’s three preseason games.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Webb figures he's got the best of both worlds, having his play-calling mentor by his side and squaring off against defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Denver's stout defense all summer.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of calling
Verb
  • Hanadi Muhanna and her father are rebuilding the Al Qarara seed bank, gathering indigenous wheat, spinach and barley.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Her son, Paul Keating, told NPR that the family is gathering to celebrate her life.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of gathering
Verb
  • Hassan has work to do in front of goal, having failed to score in almost 2,000 minutes on the pitch in La Liga, mustering only three assists.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Cubs offense showed signs of a lineup potentially entering a slump, just a day after mustering one hit in a loss to the Nationals.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mustering
Verb
  • Missouri is asking the Supreme Court to overturn the state Supreme Court’s blockage of a new congressional map ahead of the November general election.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But asking whether the problem is useful is the wrong question, Verhoeff argues.
    — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of asking
Verb
  • Major initiatives often begin by assembling representatives from finance, operations, technology, legal and other functions.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Sellers gear up all year for Cannes assembling packages and then shopping them on the market, then all the Europeans take the summer off.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of assembling
Verb
  • People rush to work, hailing matatus along the roadside as vendors set up for the day.
    — Michael Kaloki, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In July, California’s Public Utilities Commission approved new incentives of up to $20,300 for ride-hailing app drivers to buy or lease new zero-emission vehicles, and often now, ride hailers can choose to be picked up by an EV on the apps.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hailing
Verb
  • The Jackson County District Attorney's office has previously said convening a grand jury does not mean there is any criminality and is standard procedure for most unnatural or suspicious deaths in the county.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Academy is convening its full Board and Awards & Nominations Committee to work with members of and leaders from this community to seek further advice on the category, as well as its process for introducing new categories and awards.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of convening
Verb
  • Coca‑Cola is inviting the world to celebrate the real magic of humanity.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Even before the advent of these AI systems, the shockingly poor state of national and municipal cyberdefenses made American critical infrastructure an inviting target.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of inviting

Browse Nearby Words

summoned
summoning
summons
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Cite this Entry

“Summoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summoning. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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