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
Once called Future Farmers of America, several FFA programs have endured on high school campuses, with students learning about agriculture and livestock careers. — Heather McRea, Oc Register, 25 July 2026 This isn’t the first time OpenAI’s compliance with that particular safeguard has been called into question. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Noun
The Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) are discussing and voting on July 23 and 24, then will pass their recommendations to the FDA to make the final call. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 24 July 2026 The good news, experts say, is there is demand for cruise calls to Cuba, which was shown starting in 2016 following the diplomatic thaw promoted by the Obama administration. — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 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
  • Opposition lawmakers held placards and shouted slogans seeking Pradhan’s resignation outside the Parliament building and then disrupted proceedings inside, forcing the chambers to be repeatedly suspended.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2026
  • There are definitely some new risks and threat vectors—there’s no shortage of people shouting about them from the rooftops.
    — RJ Friedman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of shout
Verb
  • Lester, in particular, saw enough growth from Brown and Hecklinski as Gronowski’s understudies to prefer their full-scale competition over grabbing an experienced quarterback but dialing down the offense.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The current release will only keep the market supplied for a few months, maybe until the end of the year if releases are dialed back.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of dial
Verb
  • Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.
    — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Louisville's role as bourbon's home base keeps growing When visiting bourbon country, Louisville is typically a go-to jumping off point.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • The Philippine ships eventually canceled their mission on Friday and headed back to port, citing a developing typhoon in the region.
    — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • The exceptions are Indiana, USC (because of the Notre Dame series falling off), Penn State and Nebraska (which canceled a series with Tennessee).
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • The politically-fraught topic is also the subject of debate in Washington and in city councils and commissioners courts across the state, where communities have considered local tax incentives.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
  • The sandwiches don’t need to be boring in order to be quick and simple — consider gyros.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • At one point, Celeste’s mother started to cry while her father cast his eyes down.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
  • Rivas Hernandez’s mother began crying and her father looked down as the detective began describing the images.
    — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Seven days later, as injuries decimated their rotation, the Astros summoned Lambert to slot in as a substitute.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 July 2026
  • The post also mentions two new smart glasses designs from Google, adding to the two shown off at I/O in May, which will presumably feature a comparable no-wake-word option to summon Gemini’s help.
    — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026
Definition of summon
Verb
  • In reality, the Mets lose much more money than any other MLB club, due to their payroll and a luxury tax bill estimated to be $120 million before any roster changes, according to Spotrac.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026
  • Video production tends to be especially costly – OpenAI’s Sora was estimated to cost $15 million per day in compute resources, which dwarfed any reasonable revenue model, especially with the collapse in engagement numbers and copyright litigation.
    — Cortney Harding, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
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 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on call

Nglish: Translation of call for Spanish Speakers

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