call 1 of 2

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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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4
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

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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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9
10
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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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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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4
5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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6
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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
Why is September's full moon called the corn moon? Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Sep. 2025 If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
The call from Manchester United’s director of women’s football Matt Johnson came to Jess Park’s agent late on Tuesday night. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025 Sac State scored two touchdowns on that final drive in the final minute but both plays were nullified by holding calls, and then more despair ensued. Joe Davidosn, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • At one point, the same officer shouted at Ellis not to move.
    Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Then, Suarez moved to another part of the field, where he is seen shouting, stepping on the foot of Sounders head of security Gene Ramirez and spitting on him.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Specs and Inner Things Since the S25 FE is meant to be an affordable device, Samsung dialed back the specs from the flagship S25 line.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Daniels, for his part, visited papers like The Dallas Morning News and spoke with journalists, while Koman leaned on his lifelong fascination with journalism’s luminaries like Gay Talese and Ben Bradlee.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • At the time of the murder, Dominic was visiting his father against his mother’s wishes, court documents reveal.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
  • On social media, Marquette announced that all athletic events for the weekend would be canceled, and a special mass for the school community was held on Saturday afternoon.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Still, that isn’t a factor when considering how hard and inspired the Broncos played in front of a ninth straight sellout crowd at Albertsons Stadium.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025
  • First things first — 1831 is a ludicrously early start date here, considering England didn’t play their first international until 1872.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Colman recalled crying on the set of the BBC's TV adaptation of Les Misérables after a scene in which her character hits a child.
    Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In episode 3, which came out in April, Howard’s character cries when Seth Rogen’s studio head character gives him a difficult piece of feedback, resulting in Howard angrily throwing his signature baseball cap at him.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Naturally, the orphans start being tormented by a demon, who was summoned after the girl’s parents prayed to whatever entity would bring their daughter back.
    Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • However, when Astrid breaks open a portal to the afterlife, Lydia is forced to summon the pinstriped menace who's never really left her mind to try and save her family.
    James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • South Korea estimates that some 2,000 North Korean troops died defending Kursk against a cross-border incursion by Ukraine.
    Robert Birsel Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The final bid is estimated to be between $40,000 and $80,000 for the 50th anniversary prop.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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