call 1 of 2

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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
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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 agency is also reconsidering bans on solvents called TCE and PCE, which are linked to Parkinson’s disease. Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025 For details and tickets, call 858-451-1200. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
But writing the thriller did involve many phone calls. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025 Simplifying early play calls could help. Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Hasselbeck shouted in response, while the episode was edited to have her and O’Donnell on the screen side-by-side.
    Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The away supporters at Molineux did not have much else to shout about until the Dutch central defender’s 86th-minute header rescued a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who remain winless at the foot of the table.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s so much to love about this crowd-pleasing appetizer—here are a few ways to dial up the flavor, save time, and enjoy this dip in new ways.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946.
    Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Chavarria finds that visiting offices and not being afraid to share her own story is one of the best ways to learn what her employees need.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Imanaga looked flustered when Counsell visited the mound without the pitcher’s interpreter, buying time until reliever Daniel Palencia was ready to take over in the third inning.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But our flights had been canceled amid rocket fire and regional escalation, fallout from Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and its war with Iran.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Despite Spapens’ declaration that the Disturbed concert is canceled, tickets for the gig are still listed on Live Nation, as well as still included on the band’s tour website.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bendicksen, the center’s director of wildlife rehabilitation, decided to attempt something few would consider, a wing transplant.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Even though there is risk that would come with the move, the Saints should consider it if the option presents itself.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a clip shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Van Dyke recalled crying when the Sherman Brothers first played the now-iconic songs for him.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
  • While naysayers may argue Dalio is the boy who cried wolf, his caution has paid off in the past.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That’s when the Phillies summoned Kerkering, who had warmed up numerous times throughout the game.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The international community must summon the courage to ensure that both communities, Israelis and Palestinians, can live in peace and with security.
    Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Dillon Maroney, Tarrant County Precinct 4 executive administrator of operations, estimated that Segment 1 will be ready to break ground in March 2026.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

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