judgment call

noun

: a subjective decision, ruling, or opinion

Examples of judgment call in a Sentence

The rules aren't clear in this case, so officials are required to make a judgment call.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Fraser says her ability to make a judgment call — and then, in British fashion, get on with it—is a trait that’s served her well. Claire Zillman, Fortune, 27 May 2026 And a person still has to make the judgment call when things get complicated. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026 The analyst still read the intelligence, made the judgment call about version pinning and validated the AI agent’s findings and escalations. Aqsa Taylor, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 The demotion from network to Netflix may be a necessary concession to technology and the marketplace, but the decision to rebrand, or rather un-brand, the SAG awards is a judgment call, and a bad one. Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for judgment call

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of judgment call was in 1847

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Judgment call.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judgment%20call. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

judgment call

noun
: a subjective decision, ruling, or opinion
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