Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

muster

American  
[muhs-ter] / ˈmʌs tər /

verb (used with object)

  1. to assemble (troops, a ship's crew, etc.), as for battle, display, inspection, orders, or discharge.

    Synonyms:
    congregate, convene, convoke
    Antonyms:
    separate, scatter
  2. to gather, summon, rouse (often followed byup ).

    He mustered all his courage.


verb (used without object)

  1. to assemble for inspection, service, etc., as troops or forces.

  2. to come together; collect; assemble; gather.

    Synonyms:
    congregate, convene
    Antonyms:
    separate, scatter

noun

  1. an assembling of troops or persons for formal inspection or other purposes.

    Synonyms:
    convention, assembly, gathering
  2. an assemblage or collection.

  3. the act of mustering.

  4. Also called muster roll.  (formerly) a list of the persons enrolled in a military or naval unit.

verb phrase

  1. muster out to discharge from service in the armed forces.

    He will be mustered out of the army in only two more months.

  2. muster in to enlist into service in the armed forces.

idioms

  1. pass muster,

    1. to pass a cursory inspection.

    2. to measure up to a certain standard; be adequate.

      Your grades don't pass muster.

muster British  
/ ˈmʌstə /

verb

  1. to call together (numbers of men) for duty, inspection, etc, or (of men) to assemble in this way

    1. to enlist into military service

    2. to discharge from military service

  2. (tr) to round up (livestock)

  3. to summon or gather

    to muster one's arguments

    to muster up courage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an assembly of military personnel for duty, inspection, etc

  2. a collection, assembly, or gathering

  3. the rounding up of livestock

  4. a flock of peacocks

  5. to be acceptable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
muster More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing muster


Related Words

See gather.

Other Word Forms

  • premuster verb (used with object)
  • unmustered adjective

Etymology

Origin of muster

1250–1300; Middle English mostren (v.) < Old French mostrer < Latin mōnstrāre to show, derivative of mōnstrum unnatural event; monster

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Netflix executives have said they are confident that the deal will pass regulatory muster.

From The Wall Street Journal

West Ham, winless since early November, travelled to face Wolves in desperate need of a win against a team that had mustered just three points by the midway point of the season.

From Barron's

A couple of young women stood for a long time holding a bunch of flowers, mustering the courage to venture through the crowd towards the table.

From Barron's

One expedient way to get more done is, he suggests, to turn deliberate intentions into defaults: “Activities you once had to muster the motivation to do will, given enough repetition, become habits.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The two bills he vetoed passed Congress with bipartisan support, meaning lawmakers could muster enough votes to override him in the new year.

From BBC