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
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?
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
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Recent Examples of call
Verb
The forecast called for rain, possibly a lot.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026 Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2026
Noun
Los Angeles Police Department didn’t immediately respond to calls from The Times for comment.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026 The new searchable databases work against those calls, encouraging Germans to look more closely at their own families’ association with Nazism and prompting fresh reflections on how ordinary citizens came to normalize extremism.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
Phrase
The goal is to build the capability to operate at all five levels simultaneously and to know which level the work in front of you calls for.—
Larry English,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026 Brave Iranian citizens took to the streets calling for liberty, only to be met with bullets, prison cells, torture and death.—
Shaun McCutcheon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
The shot sailed over the bar before England keeper Jordan Pickford shouted at his defenders, clearly displeased with the lack of resistance in their own half.
—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Hundreds of people have gathered throughout the week to carry posters, shout slogans, and sing.
Smithsonian Journeys has dialed up the depth of exploration for these itineraries, adding beer tastings or artisan bakery visits to shore excursions, and again putting their experts onboard for fascinating lectures on the region.
—
Scott Laird,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Limited to just 50 pieces, the watch is home to a new color palette, with a platinum 38 mm case and an eye-catching black aventurine enamel dial that, at some angles, looks like a deep green.
You are invited to visit and decide for yourself what belongs on these shelves.
—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2026
But, my colleague Karissa Waddick writes, those panels were displayed in the White House's West Wing for more than 40 years, away from areas where the public is allowed to visit.
Aid groups consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a disaster to be the most critical window for finding survivors, though access to food and water can extend that period.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2026
Should Portugal have rested Ronaldo against Colombia, considering Portugal entered Saturday’s match already assured of advancing to the knockout stage?
—
Anthony Chiang
June 27,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2026