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 filings also contain summonses: For Trump, the Board of Governors at the Fed, Chairman Powell, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025 Garcia was issued a criminal complaint summons along with several related motor vehicle summonses. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
Thrown into crisis, King Gwanghae summons Heo Gyun based on clues left behind and questions him about Hong Gildong’s identity. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025 Eagly summons an entire aerie of allies to peck and slash Red to death, which feels like an appropriately grisly fate. Scott Meslow, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for summons
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summons
Noun
  • The parents of the victims said the boys met Busfield on the set of the Fox series, The Cleaning Lady, after Busfield joined as a director in season 2, according to the arrest warrant.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • If they aren't given permission to enter a private area, ICE agents would have to provide a judicial warrant.
    Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Though not necessarily a finding of causality, the study calls for more research and awareness into the common and routine use of melatonin by millions of individuals daily.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The convergence of Web2 and Web3 creates a moment that calls for clarity and confidence.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • TechBBQ 26-27 August in Copenhagen, Denmark The Nordic startup scene gathers in Copenhagen for two days of networking.
    Melinda Elmborg, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Ahead of the World Economic Forum‘s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Fortune connected with Goldman Sachs’ global co-head of investment banking, Kim Posnett, for her outlook on the most urgent issues in business as 2026 gathers steam.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • There’s maintenance and repair work to be done on his boat — named Waymaker, to honor the Lord — before Blanchard musters his two-man crew and sets out from Bayou Little Caillou.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 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
  • The bank turned over lists of customers to the FBI without subpoenas, warrants or any legal obligation to do so, according to the complaint.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Cruz also pressed his Democratic colleagues to join a bipartisan request for the DOJ to turn over the evidentiary basis for the subpoenas, arguing transparency was necessary to assess whether the secrecy orders were justified.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Absent reasonable testing thresholds, Sams contends, the sport invites needless controversy and imposes unnecessary hardship on its participants.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Many have not yet responded to Trump’s invites.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Nvidia primarily designs its chips in California and largely manufactures and assembles them in Asia.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
  • As Victor constructs his lab and assembles the Creature, the various stages of its creation are meticulously portrayed.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • State law requires the governor to issue a writ of special election within 10 days of a vacancy, with the election to follow exactly 46 days later.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The trial court must issue a writ of mandate, which will rescind the 2022 ballot measure and restore the height limit in what’s known as the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Summons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summons. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on summons

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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