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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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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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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5
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

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
Open calls for actors Open auditions, known in the regional theater realm as Equity Principal Auditions, are a reality of being a professional theater. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026 Iran has long been a threat to Israel’s security with a profoundly hostile regime openly calling for its eradication. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Shortly thereafter, according to the government’s story, an Administration official received a phone call from a contact at Palantir. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026 Many included direct calls for violence against Jewish facilities. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • The videos show residents walking and at times running through the streets of Morón, in the province of Ciego de Avila, shouting anti-government slogans in the middle of a blackout late night Friday and early morning Saturday, lit up by the occasional portable lamp or the light on their phones.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The actor will shout out a number and then — in an impressive display of audience amplification by sound designer Tom Gibbons — a reply emanates back from somewhere in the theater.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The unseasonable heat will linger into Friday, weaken slightly over the weekend and then dial up to scalding again next week, according to the National Weather Service.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The generation that grew up perpetually dialed into culture can’t handle not understanding what the internet’s obsessed with.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For more details on the claims process or to download a claim form, visit the Hoosier Lottery Winners page or contact the customer service team at 1-800-955-6886.
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Nonprofit Greenheart Exchange is seeking families to host Chinese exchange students who will visit the Dundee area in July and August before spending the school year at high schools across the United States.
    Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Naval air stations in the Central Valley city of Lemoore and El Centro in Imperial County canceled public air shows planned for this month out of safety concerns.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Other players considering San Diego State would surely notice.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Perfect timing, considering Shakespeare takes center stage at the Academy Awards on Sunday with eight nominations.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Someone was squealing and crying at the same time, as if caught in a trap.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
  • And then the entire crew would start to cry.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sounds idyllic, except one neighbor keeps summoning the cops — and eventually someone gets shot.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • He was gassed and with resident football closer Arch Manning seated courtside, the Longhorns' basketball version couldn't summon the energy to do the same against the Sooners.
    Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates about 6,290 RVs are being used as makeshift dwellings across the county.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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