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
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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 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)

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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

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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
The United States was deporting her and 13 other West Africans to Ghana, a country none of them called their own. Tobi Raji, Washington Post, 10 May 2026 It’s called the Glorya Kaufman Community Center. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Noun
Tim offers phone coaching calls if you get stuck during a DIY job. Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026 His lawyers filed a motion alleging that Allen was deprived of personal items, phone calls, non-legal visits, and was strip-searched when escorted to the shower. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that a man wearing a ski mask ran toward the former royal while shouting abuse on Wednesday.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
  • The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that a man wearing a ski mask ran toward the former royal while shouting abuse.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Allegiant’s plan includes ramping up service during peak travel periods, like in the summer or over spring break, and then dialing that back on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in lower-demand weeks, selling more seats to customers at times when the airline could have more pricing power, Anderson said.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 13 May 2026
  • While most major tests are really about being dialed with those 150-200-yard shots, Aronimink is kind of the opposite.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Consumers seeking a replacement voucher can visit the recall page on the company’s website, according to the notice.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • Considering that teams can bring players into their buildings in their respective cities for pre-draft workouts, attend pro days held by players’ agencies and visit prospects elsewhere, the combine meetings are only a small part of the draft process.
    Eric Nehm, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • There’s a report in Bloomberg recently that half of data center plans are kind of stalled or being canceled because of material issues and things like that.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 10 May 2026
  • In the preceding weeks, at least 20 of North Carolina’s 115 public school districts canceled Friday classes due to a high number of teachers requesting leave to participate in the protest.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The hearts and minds of Braves players were on Bobby Cox on a sunny evening at Dodger Stadium before the middle game of a three-game series against the Dodgers — a game that meant very little, considering the news of the day.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
  • Banking groups are floating last-minute changes to a compromise on stablecoin yield as a key Senate panel begins considering a landmark digital asset bill.
    Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Though the arrest took place over three years ago, the case garnered new attention in March when TMZ published a video of the altercation, which showed Paul putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing chairs at him while a child could be heard crying.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
  • On the side, my two best friends were crying with laughter.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Pakistan summoned a senior Afghan diplomat on Monday to lodge a formal protest over a suicide attack in the country's northwest, bordering Afghanistan, that killed 15 police officers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 May 2026
  • Philippine police officials have summoned Dela Rosa to appear before them for an investigation into his role in the Duterte-era killings.
    Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Historians estimate that about 52% of Revolutionary-era Williamsburg was Black.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • Morgan Stanley estimated that spending on AI infrastructure could exceed $3 trillion in the next two years.
    Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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