Definition of convenenext

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 formal dissolution of parliament will need to be approved by the Cabinet, which Sánchez had convened for later Monday. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The agency convened a review board on Friday to assess the issue. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Netanyahu convened security consultations over the incident and cleared the remainder of his schedule to manage the crisis, according to Reuters. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 One of the efforts my organization is spearheading locally is a partnership with a local nonprofit, the Healthcare Foundation of Orange County, to convene healthcare funders, hospitals and the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA). — Taryn Palumbo, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for convene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convene
Verb
  • Roy interrupts this life update to summon the Diamond Dogs for advice about his predicament.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • On the politics, his statement summons a legacy-killing disaster by wagering that nothing will go wrong, when something likely will go wrong during his presidency.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Luann gathers everyone and literally gives Vicki her flowers and thanks her for putting Housewives on the map.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • More than 1,000 people were gathered at the site, and more than 50 shots were fired in at least two locations about a block apart in Vienna, Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy told WMAZ-TV.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Chicago offense mustered just three hits in the game, and the Padres had three homers.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The Chiefs mustered four sacks in their opener but were blanked last week against the Colts, so Steve Spagnuolo will want Willis in as many obvious passing situations as possible.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Built in the mid-1980s at the height of Cold War tensions, it was upgraded to meet current standards.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Nikhil Basu Trivedi, cofounder of the venture firm Footwork and GPTZero’s sole outside board member before the Superhuman deal, first met Tian through the Princeton network.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These two brothers, Kamorion and AJ, are looking for an active, loving and committed family to call their own.
    — The Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Spread across the 1,400 square feet first floor for visitors to see are eight human bodies, their organs and blood vessels, all preserved through a process called plastination.
    — Emma Hall October 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Dietitians, dermatology-adjacent brands and primary care clinicians are converging on the same message.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Music, sports and sneaker culture converged in the street style, showcasing many of the influences that have shaped ComplexCon since its launch.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The new leadership team that Skydance is assembling under the direction of Ellison and Ynon Kreiz, just recruited from Mattel to serve as co-CEO, has to navigate that dynamic.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Mallica Kumbera Landrus, the Ashmolean’s curator of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art, expressed excitement over the chance to assemble a trove of Bangladeshi art.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These Starship tankers would carry propellant to lunar orbit, where each would rendezvous with, dock to and transfer propellant to a storage depot.
    — Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
  • During a test flight in low Earth orbit next year — Artemis III — NASA plans to launch four astronauts in an Orion capsule who will attempt to rendezvous and dock with prototype landers launched separately by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
    — William Harwood, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Convene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convene. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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