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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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
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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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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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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
Further reductions in vacancies would likely cause longer response times to 911 calls, Lester added. Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2025 Roughly three hundred thousand other Israelis felt the same call and showed up for reserve service—the largest recruitment since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Although his team has been shouting into the void for decades, Teatini says that with ever-rising tide levels, those in authority are beginning to acknowledge that the MOSE barrier will work for around 40 years at the most.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • Bertie suddenly shouted, quite pleased with himself for managing to get a word out correctly.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • At one point, the S & P 500 briefly slid into a bear market , dropping more than 20% from its February record, before dialing back its losses as retail investors bought the dip.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 1 May 2025
  • Those struggling with a substance use disorder and need help can contact the county’s Behavioral Health Center at 800-704-0900 or dial 988.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, on the outside, no one can visit Elsbeth until she’s been inside for at least a week, and Kaya is increasingly anxious to see Elsbeth before she’s sent on an undercover assignment with her new unit.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 9 May 2025
  • Expect to pay a new fee to visit the country starting in July.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Critical research trials have already been canceled midstream.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • The Trump administration is facing another legal challenge over its immigration policies, after it was reported Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be cancelled for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • These myths persist because the industry is still evolving, and many brands are learning to measure beyond what experts now consider to be superficial metrics, like likes or follows.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 5 May 2025
  • The unpredictability that is causing volatile swings across all major markets has wine collectors considering their sourcing methods.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • And so that was my struggle throughout the whole scene — just trying not to cry.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • People could be heard screaming and crying in the video, which appeared to show several people injured on the ground and baggage strewn about, as first responders attended to the scene.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • Around 250 cardinals were summoned to Italy for business, including the pope’s funeral and chief among their duties — electing the 267th head of the church.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Dance Mom is summoned over Ava’s objections to the stage.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Bernie Madoff Bernie Madoff, infamous for the largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history, lost a personal net worth estimated at $823-$826 million before his 2008 downfall.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • That’s dramatically quieter than the 75 decibels that retailer Tractor Supply Co. estimates as the volume of an average push mower.
    Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

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