SUMMONS Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

summons 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mənz

Definition of summons

as in warrant

a written notice ordering a person to appear in court if you ignore a court summons, you will be fined

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

summons

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of summon

as in calls

to demand or request the presence or service of without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gathers

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

as in musters

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 summons

Noun

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 Related Articles Gothamist reviewed evidence of at least 65 summonses to the DLCA. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Their blooms add a sense of romance to gardens, while their nostalgic fragrance summons the fondest of memories. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 In an attempt to regain her powers, Lucia accidentally summons a cosmic entity known as Altair. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for summons

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summons

Noun

Johnson had also issued an arrest warrant against him in March, ruling him in contempt of court at that time over failing to turn over the financial documents, including state and federal tax returns along with bank statements and other filings.

— Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
The federal charges follow Castro’s release from jail last week after Texas’ governor refused to immediately sign an extradition warrant to hand him over to Minnesota authorities.

— Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of warrant

Verb

If Europe gathers substantially more unwanted clothing without creating that accompanying infrastructure, greater volumes could instead flow into reuse exports, downcycling, incineration or disposal.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Established in 2006, Music In The House gathers the nation’s music industry to salute leaders in music for both their artistic achievements and their broader contributions.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of gathers

Verb

Catherine’s story line evokes a feverish what-if scenario in which a survivor musters the requisite recklessness, talent for murder, and wig collection to mete out retribution.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
Every writer on our longlist brilliantly musters the power of words on the page to take the reader to new places, to see old places from new angles, to change minds.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

Definition of musters

Noun

The government has also investigated Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, and Keith Ellison for conspiring to impede federal immigration enforcement; subpoenas demanding information from them were blocked by a federal judge earlier this summer.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
An ongoing battle over a subpoena that El Cajon is pursuing has slowed the suit.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of subpoena

Verb

This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
Make Your Speech, the second of these non-partisan contests, invites young Americans to step up to the political podium.

— USA TODAY Network Staff Reports, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of invites

Verb

The Progress Center assembles the workhorse vehicle for Russia, the Soyuz-2 vehicle, as well as the newer Soyuz-5 rocket.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
Scott Winans, center, of Palisade Cycle & Shuttle and the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association, supports a beam as a small crew assembles the first parts of a memorial shelter on the Palisade Plunge cycling trail in November 2025.

— Logan Smith, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of assembles

Noun

Missouri law also provides court processes that can be used in some circumstances to challenge whether an official can remain in office, including a writ of quo warranto.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Israel hopes to expand its de facto borders, including by annexing as much as possible of historic Palestine, and to impose its writ by force across vast swaths of the region.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of writ

Browse Nearby Words

summoning

summons

summonses

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of summons

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on summons

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes