as in calls
to make a telephone call to
dialed 911 and asked for the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dials
Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump administration dials back vaccine recommendations Public health experts recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual influenza vaccine.
—Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
This new installment in the film franchise based on the bestselling YA book series by Suzanne Collins again dials things back, this time looking at Haymitch Abernathy’s origins.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
When House frantically dials up the device, the man’s head explodes in a mess of gooey, gory innards.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Dec. 2025
Skip forward to the 1960s, when an upstanding Canadian gentleman by the name of Gerald Bull dials it up to 11 with Project HARP (High Altitude Research Project).
—New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
Loomer keeps a panic button, which automatically dials 911, in the studio, and in every other room in the house.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
The show then dials back to February 22, 2019, another notorious day in the Murdaugh family dynasty.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
This CoComelon Halloween playlist dials down on the creepy elements of the Halloween season.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Chef Alejandro Crespo has created a menu that dials up traditional tapas.
—Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump administration dials back vaccine recommendations Public health experts recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual influenza vaccine.
—Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
This new installment in the film franchise based on the bestselling YA book series by Suzanne Collins again dials things back, this time looking at Haymitch Abernathy’s origins.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
When House frantically dials up the device, the man’s head explodes in a mess of gooey, gory innards.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Dec. 2025
Skip forward to the 1960s, when an upstanding Canadian gentleman by the name of Gerald Bull dials it up to 11 with Project HARP (High Altitude Research Project).
—New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
Loomer keeps a panic button, which automatically dials 911, in the studio, and in every other room in the house.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
The show then dials back to February 22, 2019, another notorious day in the Murdaugh family dynasty.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
This CoComelon Halloween playlist dials down on the creepy elements of the Halloween season.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dials
Verb
-
Continue reading … JUDGE ON TRIAL — Supreme Court justice defends Grammys attendance as senator calls for investigation.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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Phone calls from customers to the company’s Miramar headquarters went unanswered and about 35 of its distinctive bright yellow trucks sat unattended in the front and back parking lots.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Schrader suggests wiping down cabinetry knobs or pulls, light switches, and doorknobs at least once a month to make your home more sanitary.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
-
For years, simple pine chests with large, circular knobs have been a dime a dozen at antique stores.—
Heather Bien,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And while their steamy, sweaty dalliances are hot and heavy (albeit mostly clothed), most swoonworthy are the smaller moments, like Heathcliff gently cupping his hands to keep the rain out of Cathy’s eyes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Dodds and Mouat, who entered the field as favorites, shook hands with the Wrana siblings with one end still to play.—
JULIA FRANKEL,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Control buttons on the stand include the on-screen display joystick, the webcam kill switch, and the power button on the right edge, plus the monitor mode switch button on the left edge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Though pricey, it’s made with premium materials, like corozo buttons, which are biodegradable, plastic-free button alternatives that resemble ivory.—
Dory Zayas,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The driver then phones the police, while arguing with officers at the scene.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There were no signs of police or indicators of a crime scene.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Because tax relief involves negotiating with the IRS and handling sensitive financial information, credibility indicators are critical.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The house arrives with a pre-wired electrical system, which includes lighting, switches, sockets, and ventilation.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This is evidenced by the array of dials, switches, and buttons that manage many of the key functions.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dials. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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