call 1 of 2

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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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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
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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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12

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

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6
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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

Examples 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
Hochul’s call for federal assistance came as numerous unconfirmed reports of drones seen flying at different locations across the five boroughs surfaced on Thursday, including at LaGuardia Airport. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024 Mysterious drone sightings have recently been sighted across eastern states, prompting lawmakers' call, for answers. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for call 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • And shout out to @birdgangspirits spirits Philadelphia for throwing us some goodies to give away.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Upon his return to the stage, Stevie shouted out Berry Gordy — in honor of his 95th birthday and of course, their storied relationship — as well as Mayor Karen Bass for her efforts to combat the homelessness crisis plaguing Los Angeles.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Groups are also dialing up the pressure on Congress.
    Aris Folley, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
  • In fact, there are several big reasons why—even if corporate sustainability requirements are dialed back considerably under a new U.S. administration—most companies will continue to invest in sustainability.
    Mary Foley, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The police have found a burner phone, a water bottle and protein bar that were reportedly bought at the nearby Starbucks the suspect visited, and a backpack that reportedly contained Monopoly money and a Tommy Hilfiger jacket.
    Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • How to claim your winnings People who win the jackpot have to visit their state's lottery headquarters to claim their prizes, depending on the dollar amount.
    Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • While appearing on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, the host asked the Shazam! actor if he got canceled for leaning right in the election.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2024
  • The Japan Times reported that Ms. Nakayama had canceled an appearance at a Christmas concert in Osaka, Japan, scheduled for that same day, citing health issues.
    Alex Williams, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This holiday season, consider switching your phone plan to one of the top-tier offers available at Visible by Verizon.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Please consider a subscription to get unlimited digital access.
    Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • So grab a tissue and prepare to cry one last time as Entertainment Weekly pays tribute to the 21 TV show cancellations that hurt the most this year.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • This week Bad Bunny cries in the club, Rosé introduces listeners to her toxic ex, and Sky Ferreira returns with bold promises.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Ubers are easy to summon, as are taxis via the European app Freenow.
    Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024
  • In addition to executive orders, Bannon suggested that Trump should quickly summon Congress back into session.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • During a news conference Tuesday evening, L.A. County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported that an initial aerial survey estimates seven structures have been destroyed and eight others damaged.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
  • With the recent Wall Street market surge, Federal Reserve estimates from May show $43 trillion in non-real estate, investable wealth is held by married couples, and because women typically outlive their husbands (because of longer lifespans), women may inherit much of that.
    Ben Kunz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near call

Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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