CALLING Synonyms: 346 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

calling 1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯ-liŋ

Definition of calling next

as in cancelation

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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Relevance

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as in vocation

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

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calling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of call

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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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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as in visiting

to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

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as in cancelling

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

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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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as in crying

to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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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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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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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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as in naming

to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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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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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

Many seek leadership roles as a calling or as a means to create a positive impact. —

Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 Segedin taught art for 32 years at Northeastern Illinois University while seeing his primary calling as an artist. —

Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025 With their heads bowed, and some hands gripped together, each stayed quiet as a chaplain spoke life into their calling. —

Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025 Generation Beta might well embrace this as their life's calling or at least an important aspect of their social identity. —

Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for calling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling

Noun

Battelle, now Doc’s CEO, has programmed onstage events for over 30 years, and though Shlain’s career is medicine, his true vocation appears to be collecting people—a pastime that no doubt benefits Private Medical’s members, who can access pre-eminent specialists thanks to his extensive network.

— Grace Huckins, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2025
After the Las Vegas show she’s been apart of closes following 30 years onstage, Shelly struggles to find a new vocation.

— Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025