as in to summon
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command convoked the leading experts on juvenile delinquency to study the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of convoke are call, cite, convene, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

How do call and summon relate to one another, in the sense of convoke?

Call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

In what contexts can cite take the place of convoke?

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

cited for drunken driving

How are the words convene and convoke related?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

When would muster be a good substitute for convoke?

While the synonyms muster and convoke are close in meaning, 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

When can summon be used instead of convoke?

The meanings of summon and convoke largely overlap; 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 convoke For example, the leader or head of the college is called the dean; one of his duties is to coordinate the conclave that will be convoked in the event a pope dies or resigns. Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025 Eli Wallach convokes The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Armond White, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023 Late Friday, politicians both for and against Morales reached an agreement to send to congress a bill to convoke a new presidential election. Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2019 Colombian President Ivan Duque convoked the summit to enhance cooperation that began with the 1978 signing of a treaty by eight Amazon nations but which has stalled even as threats from climate change and unchecked development have increased. Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2019 Demonstrators are demanding new elections, but Maduro has vowed instead to resolve the crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite the constitution. Washington Post, 30 June 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation’s crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution. Christine Armario, The Seattle Times, 18 May 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve his nation's crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite Venezuela's constitution. Fox News, 18 May 2017 Maduro has vowed to resolve the crisis by convoking a special assembly to rewrite the nation’s constitution, a proposition that has further infuriated the opposition. Washington Post, 12 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convoke
Verb
  • Lamar delivered a Super Bowl performance wholly unlike any other before it, in which the aim was not to summon nostalgia or comfort but to demand full attention and active listening from his audience.
    Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The Bureau of Mediation Services intervened, summoning both parties for mediation on Monday, March 4, with the union’s strike window opening on Tuesday.
    Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Judges are starting to restrain Donald Trump and Elon Musk, doing the work the legislative branch and activists seem unable to muster.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The same teenager who only mustered a measly 4 points in the first 33 minutes against Clemson … somehow summoned something from deep within, scoring 14 points in six minutes to will Duke back into the ballgame.
    Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives.
    WSJ, WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023
  • However, today most young people rarely call each other.
    Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Amid the flurry of diplomatic activity, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of European heads of government in Paris on Monday ahead of the U.S.-Russia talks.
    Chris Boccia, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Should Pope Francis step down due to health concerns, a papal conclave would be convened to elect a new pope.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near convoke

Cite this Entry

“Convoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convoke. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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