CALLED FOR Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

called (for) 1 of 2

verb

past tense of call (for)

as in demanded

to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority with an eye to the expected rush, the manager called for additional waiters

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requested

to make a request for called for someone to help with planning the club's party

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called for

2 of 2

phrase

past tense of call for

as in ordered

to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority The bill calls for tighter regulation.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in required

to have as a requirement This calls for a toast!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in asked (for)

to give a request or demand for The position calls for someone with a master's degree.

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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 called (for)

Phrase

While El-Sayed called for ending military aid to Israel, Stevens maintained strong support for the relationship. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 Undeterred, the demonstrators maintained their stance, escalating their showdown with Modi’s government, and for the first time, some called for the removal of Modi himself. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026 The union has also called for a minimum 4 percent raise, and for the museum to become an accredited living-wage employer in London. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026 In the complaint, the coalition called for an audit and investigation into the Oceano Airport’s funding and expenditures in the aftermath of the costly event. — Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 Yiannas has publicly called for an independent investigation into the federal government’s handling of the Cyclospora outbreaks. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 Some elite African Americans derided her efforts and called for humility and respectability. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 The footage recorded by Austin American-Statesman breaking news reporter Faith Bugenhagen shows several attendees with their hands raised after Talarico’s campaign staffers called for final questions. — Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026 Setting a minimum age gains momentum worldwide European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this month called for limits to be placed on children using social media. — Samuel Petrequin, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for called (for)

Verb

Police say two men in a four-door black Cadillac displayed a handgun and demanded an arrow key, which opens collection boxes.

— Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 31 July 2026
The signals were there—not in a single test result or a moment that clearly demanded action, but in patterns unfolding over time.

— Guy Leitersdorf, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of demanded

Verb

City Directors Kathy Webb and Capi Peck requested the proposal to establish the six-month moratorium earlier this summer.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
The school district and developer have requested the village rezone the property to a multiple unit dwelling district.

— Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of requested

Verb

Stable rules are needed to support capital formation, especially at the scale required by frontier AI development.

— Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Under Assembly Bill 481, law enforcement agencies are required to obtain approval prior to the purchase or use of military equipment, along with an annual report of how the technology has been deployed in the previous year.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of required

Verb

Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham sought in an opening statement last week to keep jurors' focus on the defendant, not her doctors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Militaries often run command and control operations away from the frontlines; enemies have sought to disrupt those communications through jamming and, in the past few decades, cyberattacks.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of sought

Verb

Unless Washington provides another naval destroyer, he will be forced to choose defense of the United States over Israel, the report claimed, as the Iran war has put a strain on Washington’s military arsenal.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Echoing Turkey’s justifications for its contentious S-400 acquisition completed the year before, which led a ban from the F-35 program and CAATSA sanctions slapped on Ankara, Iraqi officials claimed America offered no viable alternative.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of claimed

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called down

called (for)

called for

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Style

“Called (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20%28for%29. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of called (for)

verb

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