call 1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl How to pronounce call (audio)
Definition of callnext
1
as in to shout
to speak so as to be heard at a distance we could hear someone calling for help from the other side of the wall

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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
as in to visit
to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

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4
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the game was called on account of rain

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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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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
as in to ask
to demand or request the presence or service of rushed to call a tow truck operator when the car broke down

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10
as in to name
to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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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
as in to predict
to tell of or describe beforehand somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point

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call

2 of 2

noun

1
as in cry
a natural vocal sound made by an animal a ranger who could immediately identify the call of every creature in the forest

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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
as in request
an act or instance of asking for information put out a call for background information about the suspect

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

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6
as in decision
a position arrived at after consideration I told you my preference for a cruise destination, but it's your call

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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
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
Callbacks for both shows will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Birch Tree Communities; come prepared and dressed for a dance call. —Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 19 Apr. 2025 President Trump’s unprovoked attack on higher education was a call to action which has been answered by Harvard and leaders from over 100 other schools across nearly 40 states. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
  1. shout
  2. dial
  3. visit
  4. cancel
  5. consider
  6. cry
  7. summon
  8. estimate
Verb
  • By the time the chorus rolled around, the commuters were in full voice, shouting along (and filming the whole thing for posterity), as Fallon banged on a tambourine.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of shout
Verb
  • David Hochman: Being a private omakase chef sounds like a dream gig—white jacket, perfect settings, everything dialed in.
    — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Iran’s theocracy has responded by dialing back hijab enforcement and easing restrictions on at least one political figure.
    — Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of dial
Verb
  • The visiting president released a nearly 2-minute video chronicling his arrival that included shots of the two countries’ flags, U.S. military color guard, and of course, Bukele himself, exiting his plane and into a black SUV, dressed in all black and dark sunglasses.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Dragos found that in the months that followed, the group was scanning the internet for vulnerable industrial control system devices, as well as visiting the websites of those devices’ manufacturers to read about them.
    — Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of visit
Verb
  • The government last month canceled $400 million in funding for Columbia and threatened to withhold billions more, accusing the university in New York of not doing enough to combat antisemitism and to ensure student safety amid last year's Gaza encampment campus protests.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Titans recently cancelled pre-draft workouts with Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, all but guaranteeing that Ward is the pick here.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • The dispute ended up before the Supreme Court, and Chief Justice John Roberts put that deadline on hold to allow the high court more time to consider the matter.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Lastly, there’s also the number of pockets to consider.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Some people may have been scratching their heads when kids started screaming and crying after seeing a pig wearing a crown; With zombie pig men and skeleton archers riding spiders, why would this specific creature elicit such a guttural reaction?
    — Issy van der Velde, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • This all occurred inside the funeral home, and White said he was filled with emotions, laughing and crying at the same time over his brother.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Sammie’s music even summons traditional Chinese dancers, awakening Americanized Bo and Grace’s cultural heritage.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Trump summoned House Republicans to the White House for a midday meeting as the beleaguered speaker pulls out all the stops to nudge the process forward before lawmakers leave Thursday for a two-week spring recess.
    — Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of summon
Verb
  • For 2023 and 2024, the property owners owed $2 million in unpaid property taxes and the total debt attributed to the property’s value was estimated at 15.7%, according to the treasurer’s office.
    — Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • States with the highest median refund for 2021 include Massachusetts at $936; Rhode Island at $946; Pennsylvania at $993; and New York, where the IRS estimated the median unclaimed refund is $995.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of estimate

Phrases Containing call

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calisthenics
call
callant
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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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