call 1 of 2

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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
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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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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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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
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
Verb
  • In video shared by The Associated Press, Grassley faces a room of Iowans who are at times shouting in disagreement about some of the Trump administration's policies.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Chaos ensues when Fred Armisen's auctioneer unveils the painting, prompting everyone else in the room to shout, vomit, and self-harm, including Samberg's then-castmates Bobby Moynihan, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Analysts have been dialing back their estimates sharply over the past month, with profit expectations falling by about 12% and revenue forecasts down over 6%.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The ethnic stereotype was dialed back in George Cukor’s What Price Hollywood?
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Many face trouble in getting to a hospital, given the burden of travel, the exhaustion of prolonged treatments, and the emotional strain of needing to visit medical facilities constantly, all while not knowing what the future holds.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/category/deals Nautical chaise: on sale for $369 (30% off) Original price: $525 Soak up the sun on your new nautical chaise.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump skipped three times during his last presidency (the 2020 affair was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic).
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Organizers and the Kennedy Center have canceled a week’s worth of events celebrating LGBTQ+ rights for this summer’s World Pride festival in Washington amid a shift in priorities and the ousting of leadership at one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions.
    Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Financial success often creates opportunities for broader, more impactful goals—ones that may not have been considered at the outset.
    Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Still, for all the support HBCUs provide, there are often limits on affirming expression and identity that might be considered subversive, or fall outside of a heteronormative framework.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Parsons cried on the Bleacher Report live broadcast.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • People in the audience were crying, for God’s sake.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • All cardinals in Rome were summoned to a meeting Tuesday before a new pope is elected.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The phrase, summoning a kind of papal succession, alerted the political faithful that Sheinbaum had been chosen to succeed López Obrador as the head of his party, the National Regeneration Movement, or MORENA.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The finance department estimated that the 1% salary increase would cost the state $120 million.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Singh and her collaborators estimated that improvements to modifiable risk factors could prevent or slow at least 60 percent of strokes, 40 percent of dementia cases, and 35 percent of late-life depression cases.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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