calling 1 of 2

Definition of callingnext

calling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of call
1
2
as in dialing
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
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as in crying
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

9
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

12

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
There's no greater calling in life than being a mom or dad. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 That was my calling card in Greenwich Village. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026
Verb
Reuters reports the breach exposed over 200,000 files stolen by a group calling itself World Leaks. Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 In a new report to Congress, the independent National Taxpayer Advocate paints a less flattering picture of the typical taxpayer’s experience in calling the IRS. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling
Noun
  • In the event of cancellation, Sponsor will award the Prize in a drawing from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to cancellation.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
  • Designed for travel, work or leisure, the EH13 features intelligent hybrid active noise cancellation for a more focused listening experience.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The automaker gets top ratings for such professions as automotive engineer and data scientist.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • The path into the legal profession no longer runs through legal institutions.
    Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • But just to their left stood a horde of pro-transgender activists, some wearing costumes and others partially unclothed, shouting curse words.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • An original call for service indicated that suspects pulled up to a CBS media vehicle and began shouting racial obscenities at a CBS cameraman who is Black, a law enforcement source said.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Herbert is dialing back his workload this year.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • Those dialing Billings make content without revealing their mug.
    Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • But in a 5-1 win at Truist Park, the visiting Cardinals made two errors.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
  • While lucha libre is already a popular attraction among tourists visiting Mexico, the arrival of the world’s biggest soccer event has seen masks and impromptu fights spill out from the ring.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • What to pack and how to prepare Kids’ ears are more sensitive than adults’, so bring kid-sized earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026
  • In 2024, Joe Biden sailed to the Democratic presidential nomination after a primary process that was little more than a formality, with the Florida Democratic Party even cancelling its primary in March to anoint Biden.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Why Overreaction Is Dangerous The immune analogy becomes especially useful when considering failure modes.
    Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The Facebook parent is also considering selling raw computing capacity à la neocloud companies like CoreWeave, according to the report.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Olivia Bithorn, 36, was crying in court Monday as the Nassau County District Attorney's Office described how her long history of alcohol abuse allegedly led to her 18-month-old son's death.
    Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • One Jewish woman recounted taking her eight-year-old daughter to a restaurant at Bondi only for her daughter to start crying.
    Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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