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
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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
Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives. WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 However, today most young people rarely call each other. Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
Noun
This means a 70% reduction in call handling time and unmatched customer experience. Vijay Pandey, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 An ordinance is set to be introduced next week that would end that arrangement and make the city responsible once again for picking up stray animals and responding to dog bite complaints and animal welfare calls, the press secretary for Mayor Quinton Lucas confirmed on Tuesday. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Green shouted that the president did not have a mandate to cut Medicaid.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Also, shout out to Roan's left thumbnail, which is currently swathed in a Band-Aid.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • According to Lisa, Eric was found by a passerby who dialed 911, WDKY reported.
    David Chiu, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • So, dial in your expectations accordingly or seek another system if performance or visual concessions bother you.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the substitute for general affairs of the secretary of state, Archbishop Penna Parra, visited the Pope in the hospital to update him on church and world matters on Sunday, according to the Vatican.
    Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The film follows father and daughter Elliot and Ridley Kintner (Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega), who are visiting Elliot’s billionaire boss Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant) at his lavish mansion deep in the Canadian wilderness.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Ten days later, Netflix canceled Centineo’s series, The Recruit, after two seasons.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
  • First, the Eye network canceled the FBI spinoffs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The multi-year security Marchand wanted beyond this season, then, was too much for Sweeney to assume considering the risk of injuries and decline.
    Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Senior State Department officials have also drawn up plans to close a dozen consulates overseas by this summer and are considering shutting down many more missions, in what could be a blow to the U.S. government's efforts to build partnerships and gather intelligence, U.S. officials say.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The filing describes heaving-like breathing and crying throughout the call.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking of Armageddon, the scene at the end when Ben Affleck says goodby to Bruce Willis has developed a reputation online for making grown men cry.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That plan may preclude the Astros from summoning Smith to the major leagues for the remainder of 2025.
    Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • New York City's Eric Adams, Boston's Michelle Wu, Denver's Mike Johnson and Chicago's Brandon Johnson were all summoned to the House Oversight Committee to justify their stances on not allowing local police and other agencies to help with immigration enforcement.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Krill are used in products ranging from nutritional supplements to livestock feed, and the WWF estimates the Antarctic krill fishery to be worth about $250 million annually.
    Gabe Castro-Root, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The company estimates this takedown prevented more than $27 million in victim losses.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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