calling 1 of 2

calling

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verb

present participle of call
1
2
as in dialing
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
6
as in crying
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
8
as in estimating
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

9
10
11
as in ordering
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the union president is refusing to call a strike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

12

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun calling differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of calling are business, employment, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to calling?

While in some cases nearly identical to calling, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

In what contexts can employment take the place of calling?

The words employment and calling can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When might métier be a better fit than calling?

The synonyms métier and calling are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

When can occupation be used instead of calling?

The meanings of occupation and calling largely overlap; however, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When is it sensible to use pursuit instead of calling?

Although the words pursuit and calling have much in common, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for calling?

While the synonyms work and calling are close in meaning, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

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 calling
Noun
Dourif seems to have truly found his calling within the horror genre. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 If the sheer distance Albert travels is inconceivable to those of us with more earthbound callings, his on-air stats are equally mind-boggling. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
When an Italian getaway is calling, John can always stay at his home across the lagoon on the island of Giudecca in Venice. Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025 If passengers need to speak with someone by phone, Keyes suggested calling one of the carrier’s international lines. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling
Noun
  • Despite the 2025 report (read it here) showing a slight uptick from last year’s 468 to 489 LGBTQ characters across all platforms, that number takes a major blow as more than 200 (41%) of those characters will not return, due to series cancellations, endings or limited series format.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
  • But finding another seat can be difficult, especially if this lasts into the holidays, or if bad weather causes flight cancellations elsewhere.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Tobolowsky came late to sculpture, at least as a profession.
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Rather than focusing only on events designed for networking, broaden your list to include open houses, community forums, conferences, and any other meeting where people from your field (or from a variety of professions) might be gathered.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The move seemed to surprise Fallon, who naturally tried to quell her tears by shouting at her.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • As the speeches began, chaos consumed the day as air horns were blasted, pages from pornographic magazines thrown down from the balconies and white mice released on to the floor, before the ‘nun’ started dancing up and down the aisles shouting comic profanity.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell poured cold water on hopes for a holiday rate cut, dialing back expectations as the labor market cools and inflation persists.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • There wasn't an ounce of let-up in the second half, either, as Payton was dialing up deep fade balls for Evan Engram up 37-17 with seven minutes left.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Green Bay turned the ball over twice and lost on a 49-yard field goal at the final gun in a 16-13 defeat at the hands of the visiting Carolina Panthers last week.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Geologist finds inspiration in Tucson Moore was visiting family in Tucson, surrounded by Sonoran desert, when the idea for his research came to mind.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Many Latinos are canceling doctor appointments to head off possible confrontation with immigration enforcement officials.
    Phillip Reese, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The Ali airport also shutdown overnight, canceling 21 flights or 16% of the day's total flights, according to the airport's executive director Dann Mann.
    Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Most teams could use a hitter like Schwarber in the lineup, especially considering how valuable slugging has become in the modern era.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Magistrate Judge Reagan Jameson, who handed down the sentence, noted that the defense and prosecution teams felt the plea deal was the best conclusion to come to, considering the jury could not come to a unanimous decision.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The man sat in the driver's seat, while the woman sat in the passenger seat, their crying child in the man’s arms.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 Nov. 2025
  • At one point during the hearing, Richards pleaded for a tissue and began crying while recalling a particularly abusive event in May.
    Tracy Wright , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calling. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.

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