call on

verb

called on; calling on; calls on
Synonyms of call onnext
1
: to call upon
Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?
2
: to elicit a response from (someone, such as a student)
the teacher called on her first
3
US, informal : to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)
She's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls her on it.

Cite this Entry

“Call on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20on. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.

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