call 1 of 2

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2
as in to dial
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

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3
4
5
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way I wouldn't quite call that cheating, but it's not entirely ethical either

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6
as in to cry
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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7
as in to summon
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command called all the night workers in for a meeting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

8
as in to estimate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement let's call that five feet for now, and we'll measure it out later

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9
10
11
as in to order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the union president is refusing to call a strike

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12

call

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in visit
a coming to see another briefly for social or business reasons we paid a call on the new neighbors the day after they moved in

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3
as in message
a communication by telephone give me a call as soon as you arrive, so I'll know you got there safely

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4
5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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6
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as in demand
the state of being sought after especially for purchase there's not much call for woodstoves in this part of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word call different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of call are cite, convene, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When can cite be used instead of call?

The words cite and call are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do convene and convoke relate to one another, in the sense of call?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to call?

The meanings of convoke and call largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When is muster a more appropriate choice than call?

In some situations, the words muster and call are roughly equivalent. However, muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

In what contexts can summon take the place of call?

Although the words summon and call have much in common, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

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 call
Verb
Anyone who would like to get connected to treatment, or knows someone who does, can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org at any day or time. Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023 Breakouts might call for the Salicylic + Green Tea Exfoliating Cleanser and Aloe + Algae Lightweight Gel Cream, whereas dry skin might crave a boost of moisture from the Hyaluronic + Arnica Hydrating Serum. Lisa Desantis, Allure, 14 Feb. 2023
Noun
But, typically, Neff said the Coast Guard does respond to calls. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025 While there were at least three calls of note that favored the Liberty, the Fever's final possession seemed to draw the lion's share of the attention. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Shoppers drag pushcarts through dozens of fruit and vegetable stalls as vendors shout prices on loop, in a rhythm.
    Lily Radziemski, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Passengers allegedly held onto the ride’s safety bars and shouted for help as many reported feeling dizzy, dehydrated, and increasingly panicked as the minutes turned into hours.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The Escort’s interior is starkly functional, with four white-on-black Smiths dials ahead of the driver, plus two rows of toggle switches and warning lights on a central panel.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
  • Test your maximum capacity, then dial back to find your optimal zone.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The four European leaders jointly visited Kyiv last week and have been calling for Trump to back new sanctions on Russia.
    Pavel Polityuk, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • However, our grief was at its peak when friends from Canine Companions came to visit and said another release dog needed a home.
    Dean Koontz, People.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • But this sort of work would require close collaboration with Chinese researchers, at just the time when those collaborations are being scrutinized or canceled.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
  • Panama's comptroller general and attorney general are now seeking to cancel CK Hutchison's concessions to its two Canal Zone ports.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Dolton police did not respond to requests for information about the block but Trustee Belcher said the area was considered the rougher part of the village.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • This is not to scapegoat, considering Wiggins’ injuries during his Heat tenure, but more about creating a fresh start.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Traditionally, the upside down American flag signals distress, and that was the mood expressed as speakers shouted, cried and chanted with the crowd of around 100 people.
    Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2025
  • As tensions ran high, the other children started to cry.
    Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Taylor watched the game from the dugout until the ninth inning when he was summoned to pinch run and play left field.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Josh Sargent and Yunus Musah, Pulisic’s teammate in Milan, were also left off the 27-man roster summoned to training camp ahead next month’s Gold Cup, although some of those players will be participating in the Club World Cup.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • That proposal submitted by Polk Stanley Wilcox was estimated to cost at least $136,000; the optional inclusion of the shock wires would have added approximately $55,000 to the total price.
    Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
  • Messi — not known for headers — leaped to reach the ball that was estimated to be nearly 9 feet (2.70 meters) in the air, redirecting it with his head past Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van de Sar.
    Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

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