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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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

The commission and its inspectors general would have full independent statutory subpoena power to compel documents and testimony during investigations, an independent budget and independent authority to release reports after finding wrongdoing. — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Both Delaware Life and Clear Spring received grand jury subpoenas in February in connection with the probes, Delaware Life said in the regulatory filing. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Her defense also requested the court to subpoena the IP address to trace where the messages originated. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 24 June 2026 The South Carolina lawmaker also introduced a resolution in March for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to subpoena former Attorney General Pam Bondi in the panel’s probe into the Jeffrey Epstein case. — Max Rego, The Hill, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for subpoena

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subpoena

Noun

Arrests, summonses, and citations have increased by 72% when compared to 2025, but calls for service have decreased by 6% compared to 2025.

— Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
If a cyclist ignores a moving violation summons and gets stopped again while cycling, there’s nothing the NYPD can do other than issue more moving violation summonses that will be ignored and go unpaid.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of summons

Verb

The performances made history as the biggest ever open-air concerts in the UK (the crowd numbered 125,000 both days) and are often cited as representing the pinnacle of the Britpop era.

— Devinder Bains, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
The outlet, citing Jordan’s foreign ministry, reported that a number of Jordanians ⁠were on ⁠the bus, with initial information indicating that some were killed and injured.

— Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

Initially, their aunt appears to have summoned them there for free labor with the housework, garden and hens.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
As part of the inquiry, the mayor of Kenscoff and the police inspector in charge of the sprawling mountaintop rural district have been summoned for questioning.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of summon

Verb

Sustained gunfire began past midnight at the premises of the Diori Hamani International Airport, which hosts a major military base, according to an AP witness who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
The group requested agreements among MPEA, arena operator Oak View Group, the Chicago Sky and the WNBA.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 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

At the same time, as tech companies issue urgent new warnings about the dangers of AI, the Department of Health and Human Services convened childhood experts Tuesday to discuss the harms of excessive adolescent screen use.

— Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
But as Jensen made it into the dugout, the umpires convened and reversed the decision.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of convene

Verb

Clooney then took a moment to call out Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent controversial social media post that featured women from the military in Canada.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
The book is structured around the ‘anbara—the prison ritual where people would stand in prison cells and call out to one another through the naddara, or the opening in the cell door.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of call out

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subplots

subpoena

subpoenaed

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“Subpoena.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subpoena. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of subpoena

noun

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