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

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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

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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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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

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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

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

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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
Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives. WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 However, today most young people rarely call each other. Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023
Noun
This means a 70% reduction in call handling time and unmatched customer experience. Vijay Pandey, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 An ordinance is set to be introduced next week that would end that arrangement and make the city responsible once again for picking up stray animals and responding to dog bite complaints and animal welfare calls, the press secretary for Mayor Quinton Lucas confirmed on Tuesday. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Also, shout out to Roan's left thumbnail, which is currently swathed in a Band-Aid.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Green shouted that the president did not have a mandate to cut Medicaid.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • According to Lisa, Eric was found by a passerby who dialed 911, WDKY reported.
    David Chiu, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • General comment on the season: After more serene outings in New York and London, Milan certainly has dialed things up a notch.
    Luisa Zargani, WWD, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Parent was only 18 and visiting Garretson, the caretaker, at the Cielo Drive guest house.
    Emily Krauser, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The group tries to recruit volunteers who live near the hospitals because magicians visit every other week, totaling 23 or 24 visits annually.
    Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Ten days later, Netflix canceled Centineo’s series, The Recruit, after two seasons.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
  • South Korean law allows prosecutors to continue to hold a suspect while pursuing an appeal, even after the suspect's arrest is canceled by a court.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The multi-year security Marchand wanted beyond this season, then, was too much for Sweeney to assume considering the risk of injuries and decline.
    Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Investigators have not determined what started the blaze, but officials said it is not considered suspicious.
    Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The filing describes heaving-like breathing and crying throughout the call.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking of Armageddon, the scene at the end when Ben Affleck says goodby to Bruce Willis has developed a reputation online for making grown men cry.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That plan may preclude the Astros from summoning Smith to the major leagues for the remainder of 2025.
    Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Pregnant Woman and Her Fiancé Dead After Being Swept Out to Sea by Wave at Calif. ‘Death Rocks’ Authorities said that deputies were summoned to Gerstle Cove for a water rescue on Sunday, March 2, around 10:41 a.m.
    David Chiu, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The necklace’s value is estimated between $20,000 and $30,000.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The results of the annual poverty tracker, which estimated the average family needs to make $50,000 just to afford basic necessities, immediately sparked backlash as New Yorkers are squeezed by inflation.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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