dials 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of dial
as in calls
to make a telephone call to dialed 911 and asked for the police

Synonyms & Similar Words

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dials

2 of 2

noun

plural of dial

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 dials
Verb
Loomer keeps a panic button, which automatically dials 911, in the studio, and in every other room in the house. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 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 announcement from Thailand also calls into question the already tentative release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, who were scheduled to be handed over under the terms of the declaration.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Lindsey Hopkins — which everyone calls Lindsey — opened in 1941 as a school to train veterans returning from fighting in the second world war.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Features turn out to be like volume knobs for concepts; turn them up and the model will talk about little else.
    James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Door Knobs & Handles Door knobs and handles are touched every day multiple times a day.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Its approach suggests that in the years since Ferrante first made her way into American readers’ hands, the status of feminist writing has seen a true shift.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • What Happens Next There will likely be long delays before SNAP benefits actually make it into the hands of beneficiaries again.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • The driver then phones the police, while arguing with officers at the scene.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Buchmann said that although the team is similarly looking forward to seeing precinct-level data to get a clearer picture of how Wyandotte County voted, the team found a few indicators leading up to the election that told them the race between Watson and Mulvany Henry would be close.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
  • McDaniel’s teams are minus-18 in turnover margin in three-and-a-half seasons, and McDaniel stresses that turnovers are the best indicators of who wins football games.
    Omar Kelly November 7, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • On Friday, stocks snapped a three-week advance, with technology dragging all three major indexes into the red.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Asian and European indices followed suit, highlighting how tightly global sentiment is bound to a handful of AI leaders.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In terms of sheer ability, Brown has no trouble navigating these bustling beats, which are packed with rhythms, drops, switches, and sound effects.
    Stephen Kearse, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The lunch menu switches from traditional Brazilian dishes to an international buffet on Saturdays, and an English roast dinner on Sundays.
    Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dials. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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