call on
verb
called on; calling on; calls on
1
: to call upon
Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?
2
: to elicit a response from (someone, such as a student)
the teacher called on her first
3
US, informal
: to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)
She's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls her on it.
Examples of call on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Reaves grew frustrated in the third quarter when a foul wasn’t called on one of his drives.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The organization has previously targeted the likes of Ikea, Decathlon and Wrangler’s parent Kontoor Brands with campaigns calling on them to sign the Bangladesh and Pakistan Accords.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
If the district does not meet certain conditions by October, the plan calls on the Board to recognize the necessity of closing Lincolnwood as well.
—Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Wisdom has called on universities not to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
The End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), a group of experts and feminist organizations across the UK, is calling on the government to ensure legislation is being adapted to respond to such emerging threats.
—Ivana Scatola, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Alphabet and Amazon both sell off after their earnings calls on Wednesday and Thursday.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
County leaders are also weighing a call on all officers, including ICE, to police unmasked.
—Sofi Zeman
february 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026
According to the prosecutor's office, police were called on March 31 after Sandridge-Jones allegedly threw a brick at the 35-year-old woman's car, damaging it.
—CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
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Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The organization has previously targeted the likes of Ikea, Decathlon and Wrangler’s parent Kontoor Brands with campaigns calling on them to sign the Bangladesh and Pakistan Accords.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
If the district does not meet certain conditions by October, the plan calls on the Board to recognize the necessity of closing Lincolnwood as well.
—Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Wisdom has called on universities not to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
The End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), a group of experts and feminist organizations across the UK, is calling on the government to ensure legislation is being adapted to respond to such emerging threats.
—Ivana Scatola, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Alphabet and Amazon both sell off after their earnings calls on Wednesday and Thursday.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
County leaders are also weighing a call on all officers, including ICE, to police unmasked.
—Sofi Zeman
february 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026
According to the prosecutor's office, police were called on March 31 after Sandridge-Jones allegedly threw a brick at the 35-year-old woman's car, damaging it.
—CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Call on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20on. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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