call 1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl How to pronounce call (audio)
Definition of callnext
1
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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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
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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4
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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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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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
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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10
as in to name
to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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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
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

1
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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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
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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5
as in right
an entitlement to something you have no call to insult people

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6
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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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
People called 911 thinking they were crazed parents pushing young children along highways. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 The second was when Lula, in response, called Flávio Bolsonaro a vigilante, in a reference to groups linked to policemen that are operating in poor communities in Rio de Janeiro. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
In 2007, Tennessee’s extremely low Nation's Report Card scores in reading and math, which contradicted our own state assessment results, served as a wake-up call. — Lamar Alexander, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 SpaceX also acquired low-band spectrum earlier this month and made its ambitions clear on Tuesday night's earnings call. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call
  1. shout
  2. dial
  3. visit
  4. cancel
  5. consider
  6. cry
  7. summon
  8. estimate
Verb
  • Hollywell nods in agreement, and shouts out all the graffiti artists and other creatives who are still nearby.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • While one fan shouts criticism at an official’s call at Mira Costa High, Grandma and Grandpa Reis calmly and confidently root for their grandsons, Christian, a running back, and Weston, a linebacker.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of shout
Verb
  • Maintaining a sense of normalcy and a human connection with her constituents has become increasingly difficult as opponents have dialed up their ire—most recently, flocking to Collins’s Maine office to loudly protest July’s ICE shooting.
    — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Curic and his team have dialed down the caricature and delivered elegance to go with the innate drama of the vehicle, which is less obviously in hock to downforce or to the cooling demands inherent with other McLarens.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of dial
Verb
  • The soldiers, aviation technicians with the Salvandoran army, were victims of a gang ambush on Sunday in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince, while on their way back to camp after visiting a local supermarket.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Harry and Meghan, who remain private citizens and not working royals, made their first joint public appearance last week in Nottingham, visiting community organizations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • Von Ferdinand had allegedly canceled all of her other appointments.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The program cancels outstanding debt for eligible borrowers who make 120 monthly payments, or 10 years of participation.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • Marketed under the brand name Keytruda, pembrolizumab is considered to be something of a wonder drug in its own right, with just 30% of patients relapsing in the first two years of treatment.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Operators must consider what happens when that material eventually returns to Earth.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Children crowded the play areas, despite the damp, gray weather, shrieking with joy (and in one instance, crying).
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Several jurors cried after viewing autopsy photos of Hedgepeth, according to local media accounts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • In 2022, Lula summoned his old populist magnetism, built a coalition large enough to defeat Bolsonaro, and won a third term.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • About 20 minutes later, Hall summoned all off-duty swiftwater technicians.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of summon
Verb
  • One cattle producer quoted in the New York Times estimated that using smart collars had saved him nearly $1 million in cattle health costs.
    — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • By the 1920s, it was estimated that one out of seven Long Islanders belonged to the Ku Klux Klan.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of estimate

Phrases Containing call

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calisthenics
call
callant
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Cite this Entry

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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