call on
verb
called on; calling on; calls on
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.
Examples of call on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Deputies responded to a call on June 11 about a bad smell at the residence, said Tod Goodyear, public information officer of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
—
Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Trump updated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the progress toward a peace deal during a phone call on June 14, Israel's television outlet N12 reported, citing a senior official.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Of course, Thomas Tuchel can call on a small contingent of Arsenal players — Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka — but practically the whole squad understand the value of the dead ball.
—Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The couple called on decorator Michael Aiduss, whom they had been introduced to through their brother-in-law, to drive the process.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
The firing came days after attorney Charles Adams, who represents Mendoza's father and estate, called on authorities to identify Tippit, release body-camera and dash-camera footage and arrest the deputy.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Local 888 called on Allan Baird, the president of the San Francisco newspaper drivers’ union and a resident of its working-class and predominantly gay Castro District.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 12 June 2026
Tech giant Anthropic called on Friday for a pause in global AI development, warning that unmitigated development could fast get out of control.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 12 June 2026
In front of the class, Boyle called on the students to share their experiences.
—Noelle Harff, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
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Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Trump updated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the progress toward a peace deal during a phone call on June 14, Israel's television outlet N12 reported, citing a senior official.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Of course, Thomas Tuchel can call on a small contingent of Arsenal players — Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka — but practically the whole squad understand the value of the dead ball.
—Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The couple called on decorator Michael Aiduss, whom they had been introduced to through their brother-in-law, to drive the process.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
The firing came days after attorney Charles Adams, who represents Mendoza's father and estate, called on authorities to identify Tippit, release body-camera and dash-camera footage and arrest the deputy.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Local 888 called on Allan Baird, the president of the San Francisco newspaper drivers’ union and a resident of its working-class and predominantly gay Castro District.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 12 June 2026
Tech giant Anthropic called on Friday for a pause in global AI development, warning that unmitigated development could fast get out of control.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 12 June 2026
In front of the class, Boyle called on the students to share their experiences.
—Noelle Harff, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Call on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20on. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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