call 1 of 2

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2
as in to dial
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

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3
4
5
as in to consider
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 to cry
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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7
as in to summon
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 to estimate
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
10
11
as in to order
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

call

2 of 2

noun

1
2
as in visit
a coming to see another briefly for social or business reasons we paid a call on the new neighbors the day after they moved in

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3
as in message
a communication by telephone give me a call as soon as you arrive, so I'll know you got there safely

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4
5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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6
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as in demand
the state of being sought after especially for purchase there's not much call for woodstoves in this part of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word call different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of call are cite, convene, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When can cite be used instead of call?

The words cite and call are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do convene and convoke relate to one another, in the sense of call?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to call?

The meanings of convoke and call largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When is muster a more appropriate choice than call?

In some situations, the words muster and call are roughly equivalent. However, muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

In what contexts can summon take the place of call?

Although the words summon and call have much in common, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

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 call
Verb
The beloved player teammates call Sasha will also miss playing for his native Finland in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy next February in addition to the whole of the NHL season barring a recovery miracle. Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
Tyrel Dodson’s sack of Josh Allen led to an unnecessary roughness call. Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 In the episode, Schrack attempted to lure Conradt to a house in Murphy, Texas, via a phone call while posing as a child. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Bilge Ebiri shouted out Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, one of his favorites out of Venice.
    Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lemis immediately called her 17-year-old daughter, Meilin Lemis, to wake her up before dialing 9-1-1 right after.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Following the morning’s data releases, investors dialed back the odds of additional cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In April 2024, then-Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited the community and committed to helping Shiloh homeowners.
    Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Speaking of parents, Angie is visiting her father, who shows her photos from his youth.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This simple transmitter plugs into the headphone jack on your screen and connects to your favorite noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sounds of other passengers while allowing for hours of entertainment with your own personal earbuds.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
  • While airlines don't yet have travel advisories for travel to and from Phoenix, airlines generally rebook passengers on the next available flight at no additional cost when a flight is canceled or delayed.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Tonale’s base price is appealing, but be sure to consider the high delivery charge and price leap from gasoline to PHEV.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Shehadeh said the city should consider alternative colors, such as America’s red, white and blue, instead of just white and blue, which may cause people to associate it strictly with Israel.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In front of reporters, the agent grabbed the crying woman by the arms before shoving her to the wall and then downward.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The latest incident, caught on several cell phones and cameras, shows a woman crying apparently after the arrest of her husband.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There, officers were summoned to the front of a nearby home where a man was found just outside.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth yesterday summoned the Pentagon's top commanders from around the world to a meeting in Virginia next week.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday estimated that a shutdown could furlough roughly 750,000 federal workers each day, depriving them of about $400 million in wages daily.
    Nik Popli, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers estimate that advances in screening account for about one-quarter of the drop in breast cancer deaths, while improved treatments are responsible for the other three-quarters.
    Dr. Noor Shaik, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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