SUMMONS Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

summons 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mənz

Definition of summons

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

as in calls

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

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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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

If a cyclist ignores a moving violation summons and gets stopped again while cycling, there’s nothing the NYPD can do other than issue more moving violation summonses that will be ignored and go unpaid. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 Related Articles Gothamist reviewed evidence of at least 65 summonses to the DLCA. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Their blooms add a sense of romance to gardens, while their nostalgic fragrance summons the fondest of memories. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 In an attempt to regain her powers, Lucia accidentally summons a cosmic entity known as Altair. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for summons

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summons

Noun

The court had unsealed an arrest warrant for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, who served as national police chief under Duterte.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Investigators found Grundy’s gray Dodge Charger at a hotel in a neighboring city, and an arrest warrant for murder was issued following surveillance on the car, police said.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of warrant

Verb

Its maker, Ruiying Detection Technology, a spinoff from the Institute of High Energy Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, calls it the smallest and lightest CT system ever built.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026
Sony took part in seven of those deals, building what MPA calls the industry’s only end-to-end anime operation.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of calls

Verb

For families This is a house that suits a family takeover—a multi-generational group, including young children, with the main event the evening meal, when everyone gathers around the long table, in front of a roaring fire.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
First, the software gathers raw diagnostic readings from the reactor, including temperature, density, and magnetic data.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of gathers

Verb

Catherine’s story line evokes a feverish what-if scenario in which a survivor musters the requisite recklessness, talent for murder, and wig collection to mete out retribution.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Every writer on our longlist brilliantly musters the power of words on the page to take the reader to new places, to see old places from new angles, to change minds.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

Definition of musters

Noun

The Civilian Oversight Commission has said that such assertions are unfounded, and that state law and court precedent require its subpoenas to be upheld.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The office also is the target of federal subpoena by a grand jury that was issued demanding a broad spate of documents about spending while Sierra was treasurer, use of P-cards and the municipal employees retirement fund.

— Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of subpoena

Verb

Together, the program invites audiences to reflect on the act of finding common ground—a gesture of humanity and hope in dark times.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Gameday invites to Alabama, Texas A&M and Texas can be crucial opportunities.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of invites

Verb

The plant assembles some of Ford's most profitable vehicles, including the F-Series Super Duty and Lincoln Navigator.

— Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026
The Iberseries & Platino Industria confab in Madrid has launched the Euro-Atlantic Series Co-Pro Pitch Program, which assembles a cross-section of mainly European TV projects that seek to advance their development.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of assembles

Noun

Although his official writ covers only civilian affairs and not military policy, Netanyahu gave him a completely free hand, and Smotrich has used it to full effect.

— Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
Missouri law also provides court processes that can be used in some circumstances to challenge whether an official can remain in office, including a writ of quo warranto.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of writ

Browse Nearby Words

summoning

summons

summonses

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Style

“Summons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summons. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of summons

noun

verb

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