call 1 of 2

Definition of callnext
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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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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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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

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

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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
Drivers were able to see the flames from I-70 and called 911. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026 Officials called a foul, saying Rachel Homan touched her stone twice. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
The investigation relied on data collected by USA TODAY reporters for 3,142 counties covering all 50 states through official announcements, county board meetings, news reports, emails and phone calls to public offices. Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026 The storm cost American between $150 million and $200 million in revenue, the carrier said last month on an earnings call. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Tilly shouted from the floor of the arena to her father, Ron, in the stands, several feet above, beaming down at history.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The 34-year-old Diggins, racing in her final season, collapsed to the ground, shouting in pain after finishing the freestyle race and adding to her gold, silver and bronze career medal tally.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • For photographers, this is a good window to dial in exposure settings while the Moon is still near full brightness.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
  • For photographers, this is a good window to dial in your exposure settings and framing while the Moon is still near full brightness.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Also, visit the National Orchid Garden to see more than 1,000 species of orchids and 2,000 hybrids on display.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • During such events, the public is generally allowed to visit the Capitol and pay their respects.
    MATT BROWN, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Airlines canceled flights and cultural events were postponed as Cuba endures its worst fuel shortage in years, harming tourism and the broader economy.
    Andrea Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • But with one principal calling football worse than bull fighting, high school games were cancelled in Kansas City in 1906 and 1907 and there was talk of replacing it with soccer football.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • All the more impressive considering Stockton, who was about 175 pounds when started high school, didn’t even make varsity as a freshman.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The council will also consider longterm funding plans for the undergrounding project during its first meeting in March.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Its first truly devastating moment comes in its fourth episode, where Asa, overwhelmed by her first few days in high school, breaks down crying on the couch.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Remember during cycle 4 when Michelle cried from the pain of an allergic reaction to the peroxide used to bleach her hair (which later prompted an impetigo outbreak)?
    Adrianne Webster, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Musk was also summoned for questioning.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • And high-ranking immigration officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, have been summoned to Capitol Hill to testify on the immigration crackdown after immigration agents shot and killed Good and Pretti in Minneapolis.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Before the November 2022 election, when voters approved Measure B to let the city start charging for trash pickup, the city’s independent budget analyst estimated the new monthly fees would likely fall somewhere between $23 and $29.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Nine weeks after wind gusts estimated at 60-80 mph pummeled the Longmont Climbing Collective, peeling off some of its roof panels and damaging others that remained attached, the massive climbing gym will host its second Ice Climbing World Cup this weekend.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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