Synonym Chooser

How is the word convene different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convene are call, cite, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

How are the words call and summon related as synonyms of convene?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When is it sensible to use cite instead of convene?

The words cite and convene can be used in similar contexts, but cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to convene?

The meanings of convoke and convene largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When would muster be a good substitute for convene?

Although the words muster and convene have much in common, muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

In what contexts can summon take the place of convene?

In some situations, the words summon and convene are roughly equivalent. However, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

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 convene The House convenes at 10 a.m. and participates in inauguration events that were moved inside the Capitol. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 What To Know News broke shortly after 1 a.m. in Israel that the cabinet, who had convened on Friday evening, had formally agreed to the deal. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 An Israeli official told NBC News that the security cabinet would convene at 10:15 a.m. local time (3:15 a.m. ET). NBC News, 18 Jan. 2025 The Israeli cabinet will convene on Thursday to approve the deal. Jordana Miller, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for convene 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • Camouflaged among desert rocks, the deadly illusionist extends its spider-like tail into the open and twitches it to summon hungry insect-eating birds.
    Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Was Link trying to summon us into battle against AI, or guide us safely through this uncertain new terrain?
    Oskar Oprey, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The remaining Housewives then gathered in Jenna's room, where Brynn retold her story.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • What To Know Several online videos show supporters gathering outside the Central Detention Facility in Washington D.C. on Monday evening.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Late efforts from Theo Hernandez and Francesco Camarda were the best their opponents could muster, the Bianconeri eventually collecting three vital points.
    Adam Digby, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Against the devoted coalition of evangelical Christians, neocons, pompous billionaires and MAGA Republicans who now dominate the other side of the aisle, this prevaricating has failed to muster enthusiasm for the Democratic Party or much of the industry’s own product.
    Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Here, Vogue meets three such makers from across New York’s vibrant food scene—and invites them to share three dishes to ring in the Lunar New Year.
    Ingu Chen, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In among all these itinerant jobs, Robert meets Gladys (Felicity Jones), a young woman who sings in the church choir and becomes the incandescent center of his life.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Those in need of shelter from the cold can call 211 to check availability of beds.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
  • Their children’s schoolmates call the sisters the Puffling Queens.
    Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • The men’s specialty store industry is getting ready to converge on Chicago with their fall shopping lists in hand.
    Emily Mercer, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Joining the swarm of wiener dogs, the Bunnies and the rest of the mascots converge on a single house — with Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa on a horse, on a porch.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • All the forces Kinshasa has assembled to protect itself from its own citizens have failed - the UN, the South African army, the white mercenaries etc.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • All will conduct redshift surveys of galaxies to assemble vast 3D maps of galactic distribution.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Astronauts launched in an Orion capsule atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket then will rendezvous with the Starship in orbit around the moon for the descent to the surface.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Perseverance would carry the samples to the lander and attach them to the rocket, which would then launch from Mars – the first rocket ever to launch from the surface of another planet – to rendezvous with an Earth Return Orbiter, provided by the ESA.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near convene

Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on convene

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