summons 1 of 2

Definition of summonsnext
as in warrant
a written notice ordering a person to appear in court if you ignore a court summons, you will be fined

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summons

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of summon
1
2
as in gathers
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers managed to summon a bright smile despite the gloomy day

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3
as in musters
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command summoned a special session of parliament

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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 summons
Noun
Goodman, the deputy commissioner, said the New York Department of Sanitation has issued about 6,000 summonses so far this year for dirty sidewalks, though those violations cover all types of litter. Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026 The department started issuing warnings for noncompliant buildings last April but was only sending summonses to those that had more than 30 apartments and exceeded four warnings. Clio Chang, Curbed, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Barkley’s reference to Bondi being fired as Attorney General summons her to the show for equal time. Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026 But for 35 years Heat fans have stood up and made plenty of noise when Baiamonte summons them. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summons
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summons
Noun
  • Fox – who officials said was initially detained along with Eatherly then released – was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery, according to the warrant.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
  • The warrant listed six people involved with the arcade.
    Jeff A. Chamer May 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • This has sparked criticism from the opposition who say that calls for sacrifice now do little to address India’s deeper economic vulnerabilities.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
  • But at least Netanyahu has a consistent strategic purpose for attacking Iran, which has for years been using its proxies to harm Israel and routinely calls for its elimination as a state.
    Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Lizzie gathers a group of women to talk about changing their lives, and the world.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 May 2026
  • Clocking in at nearly two hours and 31 tracks, Red Dragon gathers rare archival recordings that never got an official release alongside some new songs.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • With unwavering resolve, Salvador musters an eclectic band of misfit street kids, led by the spirited Belén, to challenge the unyielding threads of destiny and protect Carmen from inevitable doom.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 May 2026
  • Within the current dynamics of the War Powers Resolution, until Congress musters bipartisan supermajorities to connect its own institutional ambition with constitutional power, presidents from either party will decide alone if, and when, the country goes to war.
    Jasmine Farrier, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has advanced his threats to take enforcement action against the NFL over its Rooney Rule, issuing the league an investigative subpoena on Wednesday.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 15 May 2026
  • The Florida attorney general has issued a subpoena to the NFL over the Rooney Rule.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Gemini season invites you to explore new ideas.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 20 May 2026
  • After dinner, Billy invites her guest to spend the night.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Apple, for example, designs its phones in California, but assembles them in areas like China and India with components from international suppliers.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
  • Parallel Tales Two-time Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi assembles a deluxe cast for his second French-language film (following 2013’s The Past), including Isabelle Huppert, Virginie Efira, Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, Adam Bessa and Catherine Deneuve.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • His impact on cable TV and the news industry writ large will endure for generations to come.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • The reality is that good teams with complete rosters are rarely the most buzzy teams during the NFL Draft or the offseason writ large.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Summons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summons. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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