Summon: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in formal or official settings when you need to call someone to appear or come to a particular place.

• The king summoned his advisors for an urgent meeting.
• She was summoned to court to testify as a witness.

Commonly used in formal, legal, or ritualistic contexts when calling upon a higher power, authority, or a specific rule to support or justify an action.

• The priest invoked the blessing of the gods.
• The lawyer invoked the right to remain silent.

Primarily used in magical contexts or when talking about summoning something using mysterious or supernatural means. Can sometimes have a playful or imaginative tone.

• The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
• They tried to conjure an image of the perfect holiday in their minds.

Often used in literary or spiritual contexts when bringing about something hidden, latent, or not immediately present.

• The inspiring speech called forth a sense of patriotism in the crowd.
• The powerful rituals called forth the spirits from another realm.

Generally used in formal or legal contexts when someone is officially asked to appear, often in court or in front of an authority. It can also mean calling on higher powers or spirits in a more mystical context.

• The witness was summoned to testify in court.
• The manager summoned all employees to an urgent meeting.
• He tried to summon the courage to apologize.

Used in everyday situations to refer to making a phone call, asking someone to come, or addressing them aloud. It's a versatile term that applies to various informal and formal scenarios.

• I need to call my friend to check in on them.
• The teacher called on the student to answer the question.
• They called an emergency meeting this morning.

Primarily used in an official, regulatory, or authoritative context to describe a formal order or command. It often involves policies, laws, or governmental instructions.

• The new regulations mandate that all employees must wear safety gear.
• The board mandated a review of the company's financial practices.
• The health department mandated vaccinations for school children.

Often has a strong or authoritative tone, implying a non-negotiable request or requirement. It carries a somewhat negative or urgent connotation, typically used in serious circumstances.

• The workers demanded better working conditions.
• The situation demanded immediate attention and action.
• The customer demanded a refund due to the faulty product.

This word is used when calling upon someone or something to appear, often in a formal or serious context.

• The wizard decided to summon a dragon to protect the castle.
• She summoned her courage and knocked on the door.

This word is often used in supernatural or religious contexts to describe a non-physical entity, like a ghost or a supernatural being.

• They believed the house was haunted by an evil spirit.
• In many cultures, people honor the spirits of their ancestors.

Use this word to refer to a living thing, often animals or imaginary beings, and sometimes it can have a slightly negative or less respectful connotation.

• The forest was full of strange creatures.
• They discovered an unknown creature in the depths of the ocean.

This word is often used in a general or philosophical manner to describe an entity that exists, particularly in a broad or abstract sense.

• Every being deserves respect and kindness.
• The nature of their being was a subject of much philosophical debate.