muster

To find enough strength, courage, or energy within yourself to do something.

• She mustered a weak smile.
• I finally mustered the courage to ask.
• He could not muster enough energy to cook.

How to use it: muster something to do something (She mustered the courage to speak.); muster up something (He mustered up enough strength to stand.)

Similar words: summon, find

Common phrases: muster the courage, muster up strength

To bring people together as a group, especially soldiers for orders or inspection.

• The captain mustered his troops.
• They mustered volunteers to search the forest.
• Can we muster enough people to move the boat?

Similar words: assemble, gather, summon

Opposites: disperse

Common phrases: muster troops, muster a force

To gather together as a group, especially for military inspection or orders.

• The soldiers mustered at dawn.
• All units must muster in the square.
• The crew mustered on deck for inspection.

How to use it: muster for something (The troops mustered for inspection.); muster at/in somewhere (The guards mustered in the courtyard.)

Similar words: assemble, gather

Opposites: disperse

Common phrases: muster at dawn, muster for inspection

To officially enroll someone in military service.

• The officer mustered the recruits into service.
• They were mustered into the army that spring.
• The regiment mustered in fifty new volunteers.

How to use it: muster someone into something (They mustered the volunteers into the regiment.); muster someone in (The army mustered him in on Monday.)

Similar words: enlist, enroll

Opposites: discharge

Common phrases: muster someone in, muster into service

A group of people or things brought together in one place.

• A small muster gathered outside.
• The annual muster brought old friends together.
• We saw an impressive muster of historic vehicles.

How to use it: a muster of someone/something (A muster of volunteers filled the hall.)

Similar words: gathering, assembly, collection

Common phrases: muster of people, annual muster

The total number of soldiers present when an army gathers for inspection.

• The muster numbered eight hundred soldiers.
• Only half the army’s muster remained fit for duty.
• The commander reported a full muster of two thousand men.

Similar words: troop strength

Common phrases: full muster, army muster

The gathering of farm animals for counting, checking, or treatment.

• The cattle muster starts tomorrow.
• They used horses during the annual muster.
• All the sheep were checked after the muster.

Similar words: roundup

Common phrases: cattle muster, annual muster

A group of peacocks, storks, or certain other birds together.

• A muster of peacocks crossed the lawn.
• We photographed a muster of storks in the field.
• The bright feathers of the muster caught our attention.

How to use it: a muster of birds (A muster of peacocks gathered beside the fountain.)

Similar words: flock

Common phrases: muster of peacocks, muster of storks