Thesaurus results for PHONING

phoning

verb

present participle of phone

as in dialing

to make a telephone call to she phoned her friend to invite her over for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 phoning Many famous actors have appeared in video games, but with uneven results; instead of phoning it in, Curry joined the small band of stars who acted in video games and elevated what could have been throwaway scenes into memorably fun mini-movies. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026 But our scouting team of editors observed that this year, hospitality pros are not phoning it in at lunch, happy hour, or even that late-afternoon slump. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 Also injured during the home invasion was Werner’s wife, a 69-year-old woman who was shot in the head before phoning authorities, police said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 Morocco’s outsourced call-center industry — built on cheap, Francophone labor with relatively weak unions — makes 80% of its revenue from phoning French customers. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The receptionist, who refused to give his name, recalled phoning Oakland police at least 10 times in the last six months to report prostitution and trafficking among hotel guests, and said other staff have called dozens of additional times. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 There’s a difference, in other words, between doing the work, and phoning it in, just putting in a basic prompt and letting AI come up with, well, whatever. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Trump had lobbied for the plan, making at least two phone calls to Republican state Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey and also phoning in to a private meeting of Republican senators earlier this month. — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 Mom was right — phoning it in should never be on the table. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phoning

Verb

The show is leaning into its strengths, dialing up the madcap comedy and overlapping dialogue while keeping the story lines rooted in recognizable rites of passage for young people.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Herkov experienced Florida’s first national championship with Wuerffel throwing touchdowns and Spurrier dialing up plays.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dialing

Verb

Philadelphia residents can find adult education programs by calling the Philadelphia adult education hotline at 833-750-5627.

— Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Jane understands that calling Bunny out is a social and professional transgression, but her decision to do it anyway is ultimately an invitation for redemption, which Bunny accepts.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of calling

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phonies

phoning

phonographies

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“Phoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phoning. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of phoning

verb

Example Sentences

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