summoning

verb

present participle of summon
1
as in calling
to demand or request the presence or service of without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gathering
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers managed to summon a bright smile despite the gloomy day

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in mustering
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command summoned a special session of parliament

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 summoning That prompted South Korea to accuse Ukraine of breaching a nondisclosure agreement about the transfer and summoning Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires for an explanation. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 The women recall Haworth summoning them to a garage where they were pressured to undress and have fully nude photos taken of themselves as rock ‘n’ roll music blared. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 Before this dilemma can play out, Hal triggers an Indiana Jones–esque booby trap inside the compound’s stronghold, summoning Macon’s men with their advanced weaponry. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 After the initial group of firefighters got to the scene, a second alarm was called, summoning more fire and hazardous material crews to the blaze. — Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 The woods could be hiding places of witches and sorcerers, disguised as the old and feeble, but capable of summoning wonder and terrors, charms as well as curses. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Various Maji clans such as the Omi Clan, or Maji of Water, and Ikú Clan, or Maji of Life and Death, practice different forms of magic, with Omi Tiders wielding waves and Ikù Reapers, like Zelie’s mother, summoning souls. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 July 2026 The book recounts the Russian attack on the town through the eyes of a magical forest spirit who protects it, summoning floodwaters and winds to drive away the invaders. — Constant Méheut, New York Times, 27 July 2026 Attendees will enter the iconic Lament Configuration puzzle box, summoning the Cenobites and opening a gateway to a dimension full of unspeakable horrors. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summoning
  1. calling
  2. gathering
  3. mustering
  4. asking
  5. assembling
  6. hailing
  7. convening
  8. inviting
Verb
  • What needs help O'Connell hasn't had much success with trick plays over five seasons of calling the offense.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But whether calling him by first name, last name, both or by nickname, just make sure to put respect on the Lakers forward’s game that’s too varied to fit in a single position.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of calling
Verb
  • Russia's Federal Security Service said the man, who works for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was suspected of gathering information about Russia's defense capability on behalf of a Japanese intelligence agency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • While Boeing callously deflects blame for their negligence, a family of one victim finds strength in gathering collective mourning.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of gathering
Verb
  • Hassan has work to do in front of goal, having failed to score in almost 2,000 minutes on the pitch in La Liga, mustering only three assists.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Cubs offense showed signs of a lineup potentially entering a slump, just a day after mustering one hit in a loss to the Nationals.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mustering
Verb
  • During a recent town hall at the Ivy League school, one student raised the question of a Greek life ban, asking student organizers if taking that step might improve the culture on campus.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Someone wants to hike; someone else would rather browse antique shops; a few people are already asking what’s for dinner.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of asking
Verb
  • Ukraine has earned worldwide recognition for its cutting-edge drone industry, designing and assembling systems that have changed modern warfare.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Those aren't great odds, but as Dodgers fans kept reminding everyone while assembling their superteam, baseball is inherently random.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of assembling
Verb
  • Grab began as a ride-hailing service and later expanded into food delivery, digital payments and business solutions for local small businesses.
    — Kristie Lu Stout, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The price of a ride in a Green SM vehicle will depend on the time and distance, Walker said, but will be competitive with Uber Comfort, an elevated ride-hailing option.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hailing
Verb
  • The execs sent a hefty memo to employees laying out goals and followed up by convening a town hall.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Behind closed doors, the Nuggets broke into three units and scrimmaged for three full quarters Friday afternoon, their first game simulation since convening for a training camp that has been largely focused on granular schematic details.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of convening
Verb
  • For the spring 2027 collection, McGirr fulfilled a dream, inviting the jeweler and former McQueen collaborator, Shaun Leane, to create pieces for the runway for the first time in 16 years.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • By providing clear, consistent and frequent communication about the change, leaders foster a sense of stability and clarity, while inviting everyone’s voice to be heard.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of inviting

Browse Nearby Words

summoned
summoning
summons
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All