Synonyms of call

call 1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl 

1

as in to shout

to speak so as to be heard at a distance

we could hear someone calling for help from the other side of the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shout
• yell
• cry
• holler
• scream
• bellow
• thunder
• bawl
• bay
• roar
• sound off
• vociferate
• hollo
• shrill
• shriek
• whoop
• screech
• squeak
• crow
• speak out
• hail
• howl
• speak up
• wail
• caterwaul
• squeal
• ululate
• yawp
• yowl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whisper
• breathe
• murmur
• mumble
• mutter

2

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

• dial
• phone
• telephone
• ring (up)
• call in
• beep
• buzz
• cold-call

3

as in to visit

to make a brief visit

the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

Synonyms & Similar Words

• visit
• see
• run (over)
• run in
• stop (by or in)
• step in
• drop by
• come by
• drop in
• pop (in)
• come over
• look up
• haunt
• happen (by)
• hang (at)
• frequent
• resort (to)
• barge (in)
• bop (into)

4

as in to cancel

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to)

the game was called on account of rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cancel
• abandon
• scrap
• revoke
• abort
• recall
• repeal
• rescind
• call off
• scrub
• withdraw
• drop
• terminate
• suspend
• halt
• reverse
• stop
• end
• interrupt
• cry off
• retract
• invalidate
• nullify
• annul
• discontinue
• abrogate
• recant
• write off
• take back
• void
• roll back
• relinquish
• countermand
• hold back
• break off
• surrender
• give up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continue
• keep
• engage
• begin
• start
• initiate
• promise
• pledge
• undertake
• take up
• commence
• take on

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consider
• regard
• count
• view
• believe
• think
• look (on or upon)
• feel
• account
• hold
• rate
• set down
• deem
• reckon
• imagine
• take for
• sense
• esteem
• conceive
• fancy

6

as in to cry

to utter one's distinctive animal sound

the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cry
• sing

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

• summon
• muster
• convene
• assemble
• convoke
• call up
• call in
• call out
• gather
• rally
• collect
• group
• reconvene
• round up
• knell
• amass
• reassemble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissolve
• break up

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• estimate
• make
• calculate
• guess
• suppose
• figure
• put
• gauge
• judge
• reckon
• place
• understand
• conclude
• conjecture
• infer
• gather
• reason
• deduce
• extrapolate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• measure
• scale
• compute
• calibrate
• work out

9

as in to ask

to demand or request the presence or service of

rushed to call a tow truck operator when the car broke down

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summon
• ask
• invite
• hail
• send for
• request
• order
• call up
• cite
• call out
• invoke
• convene
• bid
• subpoena
• assemble
• beckon
• ring
• muster
• demand
• page
• convoke
• whistle
• requisition
• command
• knell
• buzz

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dismiss
• send (away)
• turn away
• cast out
• banish
• out
• run off
• expel
• oust
• eject
• throw out
• rout
• boot (out)
• turf (out)
• kick out
• drum (out)

10

as in to name

to give a name to

we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• name
• label
• nominate
• term
• dub
• designate
• nickname
• title
• entitle
• style
• denominate
• christen
• specify
• baptize
• denote
• clepe
• miscall
• brand
• rename
• stigmatize
• tag
• relabel
• misname
• mistitle
• rechristen
• code-name
• surname

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• order
• request
• ask
• dictate
• require
• call for
• direct
• mandate
• demand
• decree
• command
• ordain
• petition

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cancel
• rescind
• countermand

12

as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand

somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point

Synonyms & Similar Words

• predict
• read
• warn
• announce
• anticipate
• forecast
• prophesy
• foretell
• presage
• prognosticate
• alert
• promise
• augur
• vaticinate
• foresee
• proclaim
• forewarn
• caution
• divine
• portend
• declare
• bode
• forebode
• herald
• foreknow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tell
• report
• describe
• relate
• recite
• recount
• narrate

call

2 of 2

noun

1

as in cry

a natural vocal sound made by an animal

a ranger who could immediately identify the call of every creature in the forest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cry
• calling
• roar
• bark
• howl
• note
• croak
• screech
• bay
• squeal
• chirp
• crow
• squawk
• bellow
• hoot
• squeak
• trumpet
• cluck
• peep
• low
• quack
• honk
• grunt
• yelp
• bray
• coo
• bleat
• caw
• yowl
• caterwaul
• mew
• yap
• meow
• moo
• yip
• whinny
• cackle
• cheep
• blat
• neigh
• twitter
• crake
• squall
• oink
• tu-whit tu-whoo

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• visit
• visitation
• drop-in
• stopover
• meeting
• rendezvous
• tryst
• get-together

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• message
• ring
• callback
• buzz
• conference call
• voice mail
• toll call
• cold call

4

as in request

an act or instance of asking for information

put out a call for background information about the suspect

Synonyms & Similar Words

• request
• question
• inquiry
• query
• questioning
• questionnaire
• survey
• poll
• research
• investigation
• interrogatory
• probe
• inquisition
• probing
• exploration
• interrogation
• study
• examination
• inquest
• interrogating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• response
• answer
• reply

5

as in right

an entitlement to something

you have no call to insult people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• right
• claim
• dibs
• pretense
• title
• refusal
• privilege
• pretension
• prerogative
• favor
• birthright

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• waiver
• disclaimer
• quitclaim

6

as in decision

a position arrived at after consideration

I told you my preference for a cruise destination, but it's your call

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decision
• opinion
• verdict
• conclusion
• determination
• resolution
• judgment
• diagnosis
• award
• view
• deliverance
• order
• finding
• ruling
• instruction
• choice
• mandate
• word
• sentence
• decree
• option
• dictate
• consensus
• charge
• directive
• adjudication
• last word
• behest
• commandment
• selection
• mind
• disposition
• edict
• feeling
• conviction
• belief
• say-so
• notion
• doom
• sentiment
• persuasion
• eye

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tie
• halt
• draw
• deadlock
• stalemate
• standoff

7

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

• demand
• market
• request
• bear market
• bull market
• seller's market
• buyer's market

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

Recent Examples of call

Verb

Starting with what is often called the Arab Spring and ending with the Black Lives Matter protests that followed George Floyd’s murder in 2020, the demonstrations—dense, synchronized, and persistent—dwarfed older, briefer moments of global protest. — Rachel Nolan, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026

Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Secret Witness online or by calling [phone]. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Noun

Fire officials on a noon press call said the fire was much smaller in scale and complexity than last year’s and was no longer actively burning, but that conditions could change. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Of the nearly 802,000 Latino residents citywide, more than 57,000 call Belmont Cragin home, accounting for roughly 80% of the neighborhood’s population. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing call

• call (for)
• call (on or upon)
• call down
• call for
• call forth
• call girl
• call in question
• call into question
• call off
• call on
• call the shots (of)
• call the tune (for)
• call to account
• call to arms
• call upon
• close call
• roll call
• wake-up call
• within call