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
While the rendezvous target was deployed as planned and tracked by radar, Mission Control called the demo off when the pressure glitch occurred because the fuel cells were key to power Gemini 5 for its full 8-day mission. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Forward vision is excellent because there’s no roof, A-pillars, or much of anything obscuring your view (the only model above the Signature Edition, called the Grand Touring, does include a roof of sorts). — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
The agency will also hire a new animal control officer while Metro Communications will add a new non-emergency operator to deal with an increase in non-emergency calls. — Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Aug. 2026 The calls and my investigation show failures in responding to mental health and medical emergencies that extend beyond those experienced by one man. — Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 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
  • Video showed locals draped in Spanish flags, shouting anti-migrant slogans, and singing Spanish songs, torching the camp and throwing migrants’ belongings in the Mediterranean or into bonfires.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Being Chicago’s hometown airline — and shouting about it a lot — affords United Airlines certain privileges.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shout
Verb
  • But this season has been even more electric with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s dramatics, and October figures to be dialed up to 11 at Wrigley.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The tech behind the GEN8 0311P irons includes dual perimeter weighting that helps dial in shot-shape changes without altering lie or loft.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dial
Verb
  • Bret decides to visit Matt’s father, who is surprisingly wistful about his missing son and their fractured relationship.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Sussexes also visited Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, at the Spencer family ancestral home, Althorp, in Northamptonshire.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • If the league and union can’t agree on a new contract by some time in March, some regular-season games likely would be canceled.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Another, who said a relative's upcoming interview had been canceled, described feeling confused and upset by what appeared to be an embassy-wide hold.
    — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • After Sunday’s game, manager John Schneider indicated the club was still considering all options.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Asked about the cause of the capsize, Erhurman noted the storm, but said the weather was considered suitable for travel.
    — Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Unintentional noise could be heard, even a baby crying, Dolly said.
    — Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Clancy is visibly emotional, crying and wiping her eyes.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Roy Clark could show up at Felix and Oscar’s New York apartment in The Odd Couple to demonstrate his virtuoso pickin’ skills and be summoned to Burbank to sub in for Johnny Carson as a guest host of The Tonight Show.
    — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Reliever Jason Foley allowed the Reds to load the bases on three singles, prompting Tingler to summon Ryan Walker.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of summon
Verb
  • Analysts estimate that clearing this existing backlog will take another 10 to 15 days.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Coulter estimated Thursday that the library system receives one request per year.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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