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.

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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

2. 1. to enlist into military service

   2. to discharge from military service

3. (tr) to round up (livestock)

4. to summon or gather

   to muster one's arguments

   to muster up courage

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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

muster More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing muster

• pass muster

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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; see monster

Explanation

Originally meaning "to gather soldiers," muster has been expanded to include gathering up just about anything — you can muster up some dinner, some friends, or even some ketchup, pickles, and mustard. Remember that muster used to involve getting reluctant soldiers out of bed and into the field of battle — so it involves overcoming a certain inertia. When you muster up the courage to face something, it's clear that this is pretty scary for you.

Example Sentences

The dissents show how difficult it will be for Warsh to muster a majority of voters to cut interest rates.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Marc Leonard, summoning every ounce of venom he could muster, thumped one on goal and it came slapping back off the crossbar.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

“He pitched well and when a guy like that pitches well you just got to do your best in battle and I feel like our guys were battling, just couldn’t muster anything up.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

It found that this requirement passed First Amendment muster because it regulated speech “only as part of the practice of medicine.”

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

I only wish I could muster up the courage to actually warrant any of her distrust.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed