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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 summons
Noun
The New York Police Department said in a statement that 66 people were taken into custody and all but two were issued summonses for trespassing and disorderly conduct. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 29 Jan. 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
Alex arrives to find Lucy literally quaking in fear, especially when Stephen summons the two of them to come meet his latest prey, whose name is Tegan. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026 Staring November 18, Starbucks located in Target stores nationwide will be rolling out the Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate, which summons serious holiday nostalgia. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for summons
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summons
Noun
  • At that time, investigators believed Athena could still be alive, and the initial search was conducted under exigent circumstances, without a warrant, only to look for the girl, Sherman said.
    Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
  • After questioning the suspect, authorities ran his name and discovered an active arrest warrant.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • America's oldest brewery calls Pennsylvania home.
    Nikki DeMentri, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The break clock starts when management calls it, that includes the walk across the warehouse floor.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The military had recourse to Claude via a drop-down menu in a workflow package, the Maven Smart System, which gathers, synthesizes, and streamlines intelligence.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The victim then gathers himself and walks over to the sidewalk to get the suspect's information.
    Mamie Bah, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In a typical election year, the interest in the down-ballot race for California insurance commissioner musters modest interest at best.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The king’s brother has other plans, leading to a dark time in the Pride Lands until Simba musters the courage to reclaim his rightful throne.
    Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But the legislation has no mention of key elements seen in other ethics commissions, such as subpoena power, dedicated staff or the ability to impose fines.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Instead, Perera, after receiving a grand jury subpoena more than five years ago, chose to flip on them and got to keep his multimillion-dollar commission on the Venezuelan deal, a remarkable outcome for the Miami real estate developer with a cocaine-trafficking conviction in the late 1990s.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Celebration, which invites you to engage in joyful self-expression.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The beautiful sport invites the unexpected.
    Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In it, Dekeyser assembles a history and taxonomy of the refusal of technologies, even ones that humans had come to depend on in their daily lives.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The group assembles in a staggered formation and uses hand signals to communicate road hazards and turns.
    Brenda Miranda, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Once a creditor clears the legal prerequisites, nothing prevents them from simultaneously directing a writ to your employer to garnish your wages and a separate writ to your bank to freeze the cash in your account.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Republicans have expressed frustration, particularly with Wisconsin GOP Chair Brian Schimming and the state party writ large, for their spiral.
    Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Summons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summons. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on summons

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster