as in calls
to make a telephone call to
dialed 911 and asked for the police
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Recent Examples of dials
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
This CoComelon Halloween playlist dials down on the creepy elements of the Halloween season.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Barry, who worked in management at Magnolia Bakery for years, has developed a recipe for Banana Pudding that dials back the Southern-style sweetness to a more appealing West Coast level.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025
The novel dials up the danger for the group of amateur detectives when an old friend from Elizabeth's (played by Mirren in The Thursday Murder Club movie) spy days comes back from her past.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As Matthew and Oliver slowly become enmeshed in an unexpected role-reversal of power, Lurker dials up the queasy tension while carefully exploring matters of manipulation, coercion, and the dark dangers of obsession.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
None of this would land without the heroic voice acting of Pamela Adlon, who subtly dials up his boyish vocal fry into the rasp of a grown man.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025
The 28-year-old actress dials her performance up in her first series regular role as Barclay.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
The show then dials back to February 22, 2019, another notorious day in the Murdaugh family dynasty.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
This CoComelon Halloween playlist dials down on the creepy elements of the Halloween season.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
Barry, who worked in management at Magnolia Bakery for years, has developed a recipe for Banana Pudding that dials back the Southern-style sweetness to a more appealing West Coast level.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025
The novel dials up the danger for the group of amateur detectives when an old friend from Elizabeth's (played by Mirren in The Thursday Murder Club movie) spy days comes back from her past.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As Matthew and Oliver slowly become enmeshed in an unexpected role-reversal of power, Lurker dials up the queasy tension while carefully exploring matters of manipulation, coercion, and the dark dangers of obsession.
—Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025
None of this would land without the heroic voice acting of Pamela Adlon, who subtly dials up his boyish vocal fry into the rasp of a grown man.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025
The 28-year-old actress dials her performance up in her first series regular role as Barclay.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dials
Verb
-
The report calls on leaders to focus on green solutions that can also improve health outcomes, and warns that political backsliding on climate commitments will only cause more harm.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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Qualcomm calls the new chips AI200 and AI250, and they’re intended for generative AI inference in data centers.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, larvae and pupae can be found in out-of-the-way places like door hinges, backs of door knobs, and corners of wire baskets, underneath shelves, and around the edges of jar lids, cans, and non-food items also stored in your pantry or cupboard.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
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The store has Tivoli’s Model One table radio, with a throwback-style, wood-grain frame, circle speaker grill and knobs, but 2025’s sound quality and connectivity.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
From the San Luis Valley in Colorado to below Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico, the compact called for gages to monitor the river, ensuring downstream obligations were met.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Control buttons on the stand include the on-screen display joystick, the webcam kill switch, and the power button on the right edge, plus the monitor mode switch button on the left edge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Oct. 2025
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Though pricey, it’s made with premium materials, like corozo buttons, which are biodegradable, plastic-free button alternatives that resemble ivory.—
Dory Zayas,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The driver then phones the police, while arguing with officers at the scene.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One hour and forty minutes later the two leaders re-emerged and could be seen shaking hands at the conclusion of their talks.—
Betsy Klein,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Carpenter asked, as Fogelmanis smiled and held up his hands to receive the pink handcuffs.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One of the best indicators of when to stop mowing is soil temperature.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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Momentum indicators aren't screaming buy at current levels.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Although the video began in black-and-white, when Alaina and Moeller pull the poppers, the video switches to color and reveals that the backdrop behind them features pink and blue flowers.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dials. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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