call 1 of 2

1
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
7
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
Part of their reluctance has stemmed in part from Mamdani's sharp criticism of Israel and its siege of Gaza, which Mamdani has called a genocide. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Cincinnati has made a concerted, public effort to reduce police response to low-level, nonviolent calls for service. David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
According to audio of the police call obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune, a hiker called the police on June 7, about 40 hours before rangers were notified of the father and son's deaths. Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Even a tablespoon or two less honey or molasses than your recipe calls for can throw off the balance of moisture and sweetness, affecting texture, flavor, and consistency. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Those who predicted a doomed future for all of humanity called us addicts and criminals, leeches and slime (and way worse things) because we were detested, shouted at, dragged by our arms across bedrooms and public sporting events.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • In April, the couple navigated another mid-episode interruption — this time from an audience member who shouted out during an interview with actor Christopher Meloni.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While Guardiola might still refer to formations as phone numbers, the use of a 4-2-3-1 appears to be dialling back up.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • And like many mass market products, its sweetness is dialed up high to meet consumer demand.
    Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The administration has withheld routine forms of assistance from Taiwan—including by downgrading a defense dialogue with the island, denying Taiwanese President William Lai the ability to briefly visit the United States while traveling elsewhere, and blocking a major arms sales package.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Gardeners visit homes weekly, sometimes even daily, tending not just to soil and irrigation but also to the evolving priorities of clients.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Barca and Madrid reactions to the Miami game being cancelled was certainly divergent, and there will be lingering tension in the Bernabeu’s VIP areas on Sunday.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The principal didn’t immediately realize the alert had been canceled, a spokesperson for Baltimore County Public Schools told WBAL.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To stake his claim to be considered for a F1 seat at any team, the 20-year-old would increase his odds by bagging the F2 title.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Travelers to Europe should consider a phone crossbody purse instead, like this compact but spacious one from Amazon.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My children cried themselves to sleep.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Most of us are socialized not just to suck it up, never to cry or show emotions, but also to suppress, go silent, hide, run away, act as if there is no agony.
    Kevin Powell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In Jennifer Kent's terrifying psychological horror film, the Babadook is summoned when Amelia reads to her son from a pop-up book about the monster, leading to days of terror.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Tompa has been capable of recounting a personal crisis while constantly opening up to universal reflections that summon all viewers.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that the total amount of federal relief measures taken after the COVID-19 pandemic—much of which was Former President Biden’s policies— amounted to $5 trillion, resulting in deficits not seen outside of wartime.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Melissa is among only three Atlantic storms to make landfall with winds estimated at 185 mph.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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