cold call 1 of 2

Definition of cold callnext

cold-call

2 of 2

verb

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 cold call
Noun
Older generations, who have lived in a time when traditional phone calls were the primary means of communication (and spam), tend to be more susceptible to cold calls, which can lead to their victimization. Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026 Netflix Advertisement Some of Hersh’s biggest stories, like his investigation into the My Lai Massacre, came from cold call tips and roaming the halls of the Pentagon as a reporter for the Associated Press. Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
That struggle led the team to cold-call shelters around the nation. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold call
Noun
  • The story is constructed around a love connection made when candid voicemails sent by a grieving San Francisco prep cook wind up in the ear of the wrong person — a cute guy in Austin.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Under the guidance of writer-director Leah McKendrick, the premise is all about voicemail mixups as its key device.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • So Parker telephoned the base posing as the doctor of Adams’ supposedly ailing mother and talked the young soldier’s superiors into issuing an emergency furlough.
    Dan Kelly July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • The average taxpayer who telephoned the IRS during tax season this year spent 14 minutes on hold, the advocate reports.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Fauci’s diary includes details on the now-famous conference call of February 1, 2020.
    Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • The Seed Round After completing Y Combinator, Popl presented the company to thousands of investors on a video conference call as part of Y Combinator’s Demo Day.
    Partner Content, Variety, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • The Hollywood Reporter phoned the number listed on the Summit Malibu website, and a rep identifying themselves as the facility’s program director declined to provide any comments.
    Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • Although there have been nights where the bullpen strung together scoreless innings, Hinch has not been able to phone down to the bullpen with confidence.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • The charging document also cited one of the many messages Dumarce sent to Cole, including some previously cited by Cole that included threats with pictures of her children.
    Margaret Baker, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
  • The governor, in his veto message, cited affordability concerns.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Lester, in particular, saw enough growth from Brown and Hecklinski as Gronowski’s understudies to prefer their full-scale competition over grabbing an experienced quarterback but dialing down the offense.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The current release will only keep the market supplied for a few months, maybe until the end of the year if releases are dialed back.
    Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • This is so many different kinds of humor piled together, from callback to callout to laugh-at-him-not-with-him arrogant mistake to conscious, hyperbolic comic echoing to edgy provocation.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • One young man with a master’s degree applied to thousands of positions for over six months without a single callback.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Two of the three organizations had no idea until Anthropic called them.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Unbeknownst to David, the system, called WOPR—War Operations Plan Response—is in control of the American nuclear arsenal.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cold call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20call. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster