call 1 of 5

Definition of callnext
1
2
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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3
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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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
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

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12

call

2 of 5

noun

1
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
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

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call (for)

3 of 5

verb (2)

call (on or upon)

4 of 5

verb (3)

as in to see
to make a social call upon lots of well-wishers called on the new parents in the weeks following the birth of their first child

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call for

5 of 5

phrase

1
as in order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority The bill calls for tighter regulation.

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2
3
as in put in (for)
to give a request or demand for The position calls for someone with a master's degree.

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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
But just a few miles away from Chicago and Schapiro’s avant-garde wonderland, in West Hollywood, lay another IRL feminist utopia called Fanny Hill. Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 3 May 2026 The people who can buy are increasingly the people who have someone to call. Blake O'Shaughnessy, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Noun
The following day, the detective received a call that employees had found a gun under a stack of t-shirts on a display table. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026 Democrats have renewed calls to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, but the measure remains stalled in the Senate. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Noun
  • If recent history repeats, new cries could come from the crowd, too.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 2 May 2026
  • The handwritten note is the part that will actually make her cry, so do not skip that step.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Chesney and many players got their first look at the Rose Bowl lit up at night during a visit Friday.
    Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
  • Currently, the public hospital system already handles nearly half of the emergency room visits in the county.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • The performer delivered a message with her sculptural art piece that featured cords overtaken by moss wrapped around her form.
    Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • Keep it simple and grounded so your message lands clearly.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • In February, opponents packed the City Hall chambers ahead of a planned Historic Preservation Board meeting, which was ultimately deferred at the Fontainebleau’s request after one of the board members didn’t show up.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Virginia’s Democratic attorney general, Jay Jones, urged the state Supreme Court to pause the lower court’s order and allow certification of the election to resume, a request the commonwealth’s high court denied on Tuesday.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The two heartthrobs have also become fashion icons in their own right.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
  • The Declaration’s insurrectionist contention—that people, when unjustly provoked, have the right to dissolve their government—hung heavily in a country that had just witnessed the eleven states of the Confederacy make the same argument.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • While Saudi Arabia and OPEC had no immediate reaction, Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei insisted his country’s decision did not stem from any dispute with its Gulf neighbor.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This is basically every aerophobic flier’s worst nightmare, and Harlin does a solid job of maintaining the fear factor and shock right up to the moment of Rich’s decision to dump fuel and ditch, since the nearest airport, Guam, is out of range.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Renewable energy Iggo is also keen on renewable energy, citing a recovery in stocks this year, driven by the massive demand for electricity coming from the AI trade, as well as the conflict in the Middle East.
    Michael Considine, CNBC, 2 May 2026
  • Go into the conversation with curiosity rather than demands.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Motherhood is a beautiful and honorable calling.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • The microphone setup enables crystal-clear hands-free calling, and the battery lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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