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
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
Then Moore received the call from Meche that afternoon in 2011 to announce his retirement and walk away from the remaining $12 million on his contract. Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 25 July 2025 Hogan was rushed to the hospital after medics responded to a call from his Clearwater, Florida, home about a cardiac arrest. Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Farke shouted and put a hand on Chambers’ shoulder, smiling.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 28 July 2025
  • Every twenty or thirty feet, a hawker would shout and cross the street to shake my hand, or step away from a storefront and fall in beside me.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Yet the arrangements have been calibrated so that the loudest songs seem ever-so-slightly dialed down, almost imperceptibly, to match what might be a little different for the frontman this time around.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 13 July 2025
  • In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • After visiting the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, and Miami Dolphins, Fant has a new home.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
  • Best time to visit: May to September, during Botswana’s dry season, when the temperatures are cooler and skies clearer.
    Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Since 1962, the game has been canceled only three times: in 2011 (lockout), 2016 (bad field conditions) and 2020 (pandemic).
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Timberlake has had to cancel multiple dates on the tour.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Earlier that month, Dobie students, teachers and families learned the district is considering closing their 51-year-old campus or handing it over to a charter operator in the fall as a preemptive measure to stave off severe state sanctions.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • The suit is the latest attempt to block Resolution Copper from building the mine on land east of Phoenix considered sacred to the Apache and other tribes.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Yuhua says upon entering the competition, while other footage includes queens proudly standing atop the Werk Room tables, and, of course, crying.
    EW.com, EW.com, 29 July 2025
  • Parents are stressed, and kids are coming home crying.
    Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Geraghty is strong, and Harper is searing, but Messina, though he’s dutifully put on a mustache and a Southern accent, doesn’t summon the menace required for Whalen, which leaves the rather long play running on two wheels.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
  • It was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 to honor his late wife Mumtaz, and artisans from all over the empire, Central Asia, and Iran were summoned.
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The park service estimated the value added to Grand Canyon's regional economy by park visitors was about $582 million in 2023.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
  • There is more than 200 million pounds of trash estimated to be in the ocean, with many more entering every year.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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