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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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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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
What began as a simple scam using fake call screens to mimic banking interactions has now transformed into an advanced tool capable of intercepting calls, recording conversations, and seamlessly integrating with Android systems to mimic user behavior. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Our kids gave me that gift every day during my campaign — whether by their encouragement and thoughts on a phone call or text message or working as part of the team. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for call 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
Verb
  • Encounters with the opposing party erupted in shouting and worse.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
  • The echoes of the audience shouting the lyrics ricocheted off the packed arena's walls.
    Bryan West, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But as the city dialed back its resources for migrants, Beck was left to catch those who fell through the gaps — both newcomers and the unhoused.
    Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024
  • And that means a chance to dial back on that anxiety by dialing back on your media consumption.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • To purchase tickets online and for more information visit the show website.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Stephen Colbert, who was disappointed that he was not crowned yet again, was soon visited by Krasinki, as all winners do every year since Paul Rudd.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This report comes days after luxury department store chain Saks Fifth Avenue suddenly canceled its annual holiday light show at the brand’s flagship Manhattan building.
    Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
  • The university canceled all classes scheduled for Monday, when grief counselors will be available for students in the chapel.
    Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • It is considered District 6 for political reasons, but it is only remotely connected to that area.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Reflection in the sky with diamonds As climate change takes more of a toll on Earth, scientists are considering methods to cool the atmosphere.
    Devika Rao, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This is a real bummer for Schmitt’s BFF, Helm, who cries even as Schmitt promises to FaceTime during their favorite trash-TV shows.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
  • The vinyl decals, featuring salmon crying to get beyond the first of the dams, were wrinkled, the banner itself battle-scarred in places.
    Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Her rally in Houston late last month rivaled any recent sporting or musical event in my mind, summoning memories of Obama’s 2008 acceptance speech in Denver.
    Philip Eliott / Detroit, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
  • By summoning offense that had been missing the first three quarters, Williams and the Chicago Bears rallied from a 12-point deficit to take a 15-12 lead against Washington with 23 seconds left, followed by a two-point conversion.
    Andrew Greif, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • By 2022, the Pew Research Center estimates there were more than 725,000 Indians living illegally in the U.S., behind only Mexicans and El Salvadorans.
    Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates the tariffs could raise only about $225 billion a year.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near call

Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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