SUBPOENA Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

subpoena 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈpē-nə

Definition of subpoena

as in summons

a written notice ordering a person to appear in court received a subpoena to appear as a witness for the prosecution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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subpoena

2 of 2

verb

as in to cite

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Dissimilar Words

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 subpoena

Noun

That investigation began before Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather formally requested a State Bureau of Investigation probe in September, and subpoenas have been issued. — Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 However, the prosecutor told them that at least eight of them would have to agree in order for a subpoena to be issued, and that all 12 would have to return on a later date to hear that testimony. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

There may be no provider prompt history to subpoena, no cloud model log to review and no centralized safety filter sitting between the operator and the output. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Comer had threatened to subpoena the prediction markets, but both Kalshi and Polymarket are cooperating with the investigation, according to the committee. — Luke Garrett, NPR, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpoena

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpoena

Noun

The number of summonses for low-level offenses, including criminal summonses, has risen during his tenure.

— Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
They were eventually arrested and are expected to be issued summonses and released.

— Ali Bauman, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of summons

Verb

Paxton has privately cited the Iran war and its skyrocketing effects on gas and diesel prices as a drag on his campaign against Democratic nominee James Talarico.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Its chair, Jay Clayton, cited the case as proof the group is needed.

— Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

Video footage of that night was captured by Lopez’s younger sister, who was outside with her brother smoking on the front lawn of their parents’ home when the two officers arrived and summoned Lopez out into the street, according to Kremer.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Eleven sailors were missing at sea on Tuesday from a ship sunk by a drone attack off Bulgaria, possibly the second deadly sinking of a cargo vessel in the area in a week, prompting Bulgaria to summon Russia’s ambassador.

— Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of summon

Verb

The new agent would then deal with the team on the player's behalf in requesting a trade — which is rarely a pleasant conversation.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
That total included voters who requested ballots delivered by mail, as well as those who requested print-at-home ballots via email, the SBE said.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of request

Verb

From there, enter 26-131 in the proceedings window/box (which is the first one shown on the page) and that should automatically call up the case of the early renewal filings for Disney’s ABC stations.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
Joey Meneses had an RBI single in his Athletics debut after being called up from the minors before the game.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Definition of call up

Verb

Beyond the public program, SFFILM’s artist development team will convene Doc Congress, a day of dialogue and networking for filmmakers, funders, and industry professionals.

— Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The group, convened by the Federation of State Medical Boards, isn’t the only one hoping to influence regulation.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of convene

Verb

In fact, things are so lousy, Roberts appeared to call out Smith for not using the ABS challenge in the early innings against Turang.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Forty years on, Spy magazine is best remembered, not unjustly, as the first entity to call out Trump for his tackiness, villainy, and arrant idiocy.

— David Kamp, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of call out

Browse Nearby Words

subplots

subpoena

subpoenaed

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Style

“Subpoena.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpoena. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subpoena

noun

verb

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