CALL Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

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

Convene is somewhat less formal than convoke . // convened the students

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

call 1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl

Definition of call next

as in to shout

to speak so as to be heard at a distance we could hear someone calling for help from the other side of the wall

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Relevance

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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 visit

to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

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as in to cancel

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the game was called on account of rain

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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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as in to cry

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

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cry
sing

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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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 ask

to demand or request the presence or service of rushed to call a tow truck operator when the car broke down

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as in to name

to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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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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as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point

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call

2 of 2

noun

as in cry

a natural vocal sound made by an animal a ranger who could immediately identify the call of every creature in the forest

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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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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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as in request

an act or instance of asking for information put out a call for background information about the suspect

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as in right

an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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as in decision

a position arrived at after consideration I told you my preference for a cruise destination, but it's your call

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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

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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

Ensuring agent availability is a top priority for call centers. —

Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025 The revelations have sparked calls for an independent investigation into what went wrong. —

Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for call

Recent Examples of Synonyms for call

Verb

Jason shouted, fired up, as the younger Kelce cackled.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2025
Police received multiple reports related to juveniles consuming alcohol, noise, obscenities being shouted, and more, according to Florida Today, part of USA TODAY Network.

— Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025