calling 1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯ-liŋ How to pronounce calling (audio)
Definition of callingnext
1
as in cancellation
the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to the calling of the match was a disappointment to both players

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2
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living I think my true calling will be as a commercial artist

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

calling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of call
1
as in shouting
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dialing
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 visiting
to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

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4
as in canceling
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the game was called on account of rain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in considering
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 crying
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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7
as in summoning
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 estimating
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 asking
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 naming
to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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11
as in ordering
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 predicting
to tell of or describe beforehand somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun calling differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of calling are business, employment, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to calling?

While in some cases nearly identical to calling, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

In what contexts can employment take the place of calling?

The words employment and calling can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When might métier be a better fit than calling?

The synonyms métier and calling are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

When can occupation be used instead of calling?

The meanings of occupation and calling largely overlap; however, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When is it sensible to use pursuit instead of calling?

Although the words pursuit and calling have much in common, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for calling?

While the synonyms work and calling are close in meaning, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

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 calling
Noun
Vadim traded his artistic calling for a flashy job in a privatized TV station and was then tapped for a political consultancy by the oligarch Boris Berezovsky (Will Keen)—halt! —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026 As female performing artists they were essentially banned from pursuing their calling at home. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Verb
The models that were correct in forecasting an active season in 2023, despite a strong El Niño, are this year calling for very strong wind shear, and thus a relatively inactive Atlantic hurricane season. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 16 May 2026 Hollywood came calling after The Tin Drum. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling
  1. cancellation
  2. profession
  3. shouting
  4. dialing
  5. visiting
  6. canceling
  7. considering
  8. crying
Noun
  • This plan also offers features of a standard travel insurance policy like trip cancellation, trip delay and baggage coverage.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 May 2026
  • Following the news of the cancellation, Colbert revealed his next big project in March.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Definition of cancellation
Noun
  • Amar hoped to enter the medical profession.
    — Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • She's turned her passion into a profession by teaching at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, for the last 11 years.
    — Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Definition of profession
Verb
  • As San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria took the podium at a news conference about the shooting at the Islamic Center, someone started shouting at him from the crowd.
    — Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • Following his return to the dugout, cameras caught him slamming a bat into his helmet before burying his face in his hands and shouting.
    — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Definition of shouting
Verb
  • Allegiant’s plan includes ramping up service during peak travel periods, like in the summer or over spring break, and then dialing that back on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in lower-demand weeks, selling more seats to customers at times when the airline could have more pricing power, Anderson said.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 13 May 2026
  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Definition of dialing
Verb
  • If Frieze is the amuse bouche for someone visiting New York during its busiest art week of the year, the span of galleries that dot Chelsea is the entrée.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
  • The retailer’s Spark drivers walked out with shopping carts loaded with milk, juice, breakfast cereal and paper towels, FT reported after visiting the site.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Definition of visiting
Verb
  • So why are commercial airlines canceling thousands of seats across the globe?
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 May 2026
  • From Meghan Trainor and Zayn to the Pussycat Dolls, artists are canceling their concert tours because of unsold tickets.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
Definition of canceling
Verb
  • Powering the phone is a MediaTek Helio G99—this is a bit underpowered, even at this price point, but considering this is not meant to be a main phone, the silicon is serviceable.
    — Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • That didn’t sit well with many people, considering the havoc caused by the crash.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Definition of considering
Verb
  • Djena remembered her mother crying as her father drove her away.
    — Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Videos published on social media this week show groups of crying women and children pleading for help.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Definition of crying

Phrases Containing calling

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call in
calling
calling down
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Cite this Entry

“Calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calling. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on calling

Nglish: Translation of calling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about calling

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