call 1 of 2

1
2
as in to dial
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

9
10
11
as in to order
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the union president is refusing to call a strike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

12

call

2 of 2

noun

1
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7
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
Anyone who would like to get connected to treatment, or knows someone who does, can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org at any day or time. Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023 Breakouts might call for the Salicylic + Green Tea Exfoliating Cleanser and Aloe + Algae Lightweight Gel Cream, whereas dry skin might crave a boost of moisture from the Hyaluronic + Arnica Hydrating Serum. Lisa Desantis, Allure, 14 Feb. 2023
Noun
The next month, after a thirty-minute phone call between then President Joe Biden and Netanyahu, Israel opened more crossings into the northern area. Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025 Other updates will pop up to better resemble things kids see in their own homes, like smartphones, flat screen TVs, and even video calls. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • After beating Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins in a 1-on-1 drill to start Tuesday’s joint practice, Mitchell shouted in the direction of several media members who witnessed him make Wiggins look bad at the line of scrimmage.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Thelma was the only one who kept rushing forward, shouting, Harold is shot!
    Joshua Sharpe August 6, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Experiencing Popular Culture is like sitting down with an anachronistic piece of comedic technology — Weinbach is basically a broken radio perpetually dialing in and out of random transmissions from the recent cultural past.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 6 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
Verb
  • The exes went back and forth over whether Michelle could take their daughter on a trip to visit her dying mother.
    Judy Berman, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
  • To get started, Visa cardholders are encouraged to visit FIFA.com/tickets to register their interest and create a FIFA ID.
    Michelle Kaufman August 12, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Start your free trial and get access to 5 all-new premium newsletters—cancel anytime.
    Andrea J. Arratibel, Wired News, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Their 31-year-old son Spencer Hatcher, an up-and-coming country crooner, canceled several upcoming shows as his family deals with his mother's death.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Intersex people have variations in chromosomes, hormone levels or anatomy that differ from what’s considered typical for male and female bodies.
    Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Even the budget-friendly Igloo, which doesn’t perform at the same level as a rotomolded cooler, did quite well considering its price point.
    Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Cena even blamed Truth for making that kid in Brussels cry.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • By this point four women had left the room, one crying.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Hickman summons passengers by microphone, and Turner simply takes off when the seats fill.
    Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Ter Stegen took the rare step of announcing via social media that his knock will keep him out for three months, and was summoned to the Joan Gamper Training Center on Thursday morning.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The agency estimates that the disease impacts 1,600 Americans each year, with approximately 260 people dying from those infections.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that foreign manufacturers have absorbed just 14% of the duties through June, while 22% has been paid by consumers and 64% by U.S. companies.
    Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on call

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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