cold call 1 of 2

noun

Definition of cold callnext
as in voice mail

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cold-call

2 of 2

verb

as in to telephone

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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
The president takes questions from reporters regularly—sometimes in a gaggle, sometimes in cold calls on his phone. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 Two years later, a cold call from a headhunter redirected her trajectory. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
In a sign of gentrification, Realtors regularly cold-call longtime Leimert Park residents with cash offers for their homes. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 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
  1. voice mail
  2. telephone
  3. conference call
  4. phone
  5. message
  6. dial
  7. callback
  8. 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
Definition of voice mail
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
Definition of telephone
Noun
  • McDonald's same-store sales returned to growth in September after falling in July and August, CFO Ian Borden said on the company's earnings conference call.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The analyst himself was teed up by a phrase Murdoch, the Fox CEO, used on his own company’s quarterly earnings conference call.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of conference call
Verb
  • Furious at her stepfather, Amanda phones the police, hoping the authorities can put a scare into him.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • After taking him to his house located not too far from his law office, Gordon phoned someone.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of phone
Noun
  • After multiple attempts to press forward, the message of the direction of the school was received very clearly.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Was communicating an environmentalist message — or more care for animals and the natural world — something that was important to you with this project?
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of message
Verb
  • The new offering is the producer’s Extra Umami Hot Chili Crisp, which dials back some of the spice and pumps up the savory flavor.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Some candidates, mostly Democrats, have proposed an end to the Iran war as a means of dialing back price hikes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of dial
Noun
  • The guide may cover items such as shift pay, on-call pay, hazard pay, callback pay, holiday pay, or other pay differences.
    — Steven M. Frederick, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
  • At the callback inspection, 23 violations were still present.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of callback
Verb
  • But on November 29, 1777, a small group of Spanish settlers moved into the area to establish a civilian agricultural town, called El Pueblo de San Jose, to provide food for the missions and presidios.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The leaves are steeped in a hollowed gourd and the drink is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, and the gourd passes from hand to hand among friends, family and sometimes strangers, refilled for hours.
    — ISABEL DEBRE, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of call

Browse Nearby Words

cold-bloodedness
cold call
cold-call
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Cite this Entry

“Cold call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20call. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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