call 1 of 2

Definition of callnext
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as in to dial
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

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as in to consider
to think of in a particular way I wouldn't quite call that cheating, but it's not entirely ethical either

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6
as in to cry
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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7
as in to summon
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command called all the night workers in for a meeting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

8
as in to estimate
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

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

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call

2 of 2

noun

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as in visit
a coming to see another briefly for social or business reasons we paid a call on the new neighbors the day after they moved in

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3
as in message
a communication by telephone give me a call as soon as you arrive, so I'll know you got there safely

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5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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as in demand
the state of being sought after especially for purchase there's not much call for woodstoves in this part of the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word call different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of call are cite, convene, convoke, muster, and summon. While all these words mean "to demand the presence of," call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

When can cite be used instead of call?

The words cite and call are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

How do convene and convoke relate to one another, in the sense of call?

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

Where would convoke be a reasonable alternative to call?

The meanings of convoke and call largely overlap; however, convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

When is muster a more appropriate choice than call?

In some situations, the words muster and call are roughly equivalent. However, muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

In what contexts can summon take the place of call?

Although the words summon and call have much in common, summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

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 call
Verb
The forecast called for rain, possibly a lot. Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026
Noun
Los Angeles Police Department didn’t immediately respond to calls from The Times for comment. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 The new searchable databases work against those calls, encouraging Germans to look more closely at their own families’ association with Nazism and prompting fresh reflections on how ordinary citizens came to normalize extremism. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • The shot sailed over the bar before England keeper Jordan Pickford shouted at his defenders, clearly displeased with the lack of resistance in their own half.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • Hundreds of people have gathered throughout the week to carry posters, shout slogans, and sing.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Smithsonian Journeys has dialed up the depth of exploration for these itineraries, adding beer tastings or artisan bakery visits to shore excursions, and again putting their experts onboard for fascinating lectures on the region.
    Scott Laird, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Limited to just 50 pieces, the watch is home to a new color palette, with a platinum 38 mm case and an eye-catching black aventurine enamel dial that, at some angles, looks like a deep green.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • You are invited to visit and decide for yourself what belongs on these shelves.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026
  • But, my colleague Karissa Waddick writes, those panels were displayed in the White House's West Wing for more than 40 years, away from areas where the public is allowed to visit.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Before Franklin took the stage, however, organizers canceled the concert because of lightning and approaching storms.
    Eva Andersen, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Katy Perry‘s return to the Belgium stage will have to wait a little longer after her Werchter concert was canceled on Friday.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Aid groups consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a disaster to be the most critical window for finding survivors, though access to food and water can extend that period.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
  • Should Portugal have rested Ronaldo against Colombia, considering Portugal entered Saturday’s match already assured of advancing to the knockout stage?
    Anthony Chiang June 27, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • The Padres, the team that put up a meme of Clayton Kershaw crying on the video board.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Grown men hugged one another, and at least one started crying.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • At Ojai, Lewis wistfully performed the solo prelude off in Libbey Park shrubbery as if a dallying forest spirit summoning ghosts of festivals past.
    Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
  • That's right, I've been summoned to the Mothership.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The events are expected to draw hundreds of thousands to the city over the next two months, officials estimate.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • Orozco estimated that the nearby fire had caused sales to drop by 70% over the past week.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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