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

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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
The work is spun into another story in the film about a young trumpeter called Sebastián, played by singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026 Anyone who sees Keierleber should not approach him but instead call 911. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
With 39% of Gen Z wanting human support if something goes wrong, brands that quietly thinned call centers during the chatbot buildout will face measurable churn. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026 The bank has never given a dollar figure like that on an earnings call. — Milos Maricic, Fortune, 9 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
  • The interiors, meanwhile, never shout but still seem to wow with luxe Mediterranean touches and tasteful art.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • News of their separation had been made public earlier this year when LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans for two charges of simple battery where he was eventually given probation despite allegedly also harassing locals and shouting homophobic slurs.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of shout
Verb
  • Refrigerators in French supermarkets are being targeted by remote hackers, who are dialing up their temperature to more than 120 degrees.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The way offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and Young dialed up the quick game against the Lions — replete with run-pass options — was impressive.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dial
Verb
  • When the cast visited Japan in March 2025, Mystery Channel hosted a special event attended by 270 lucky fans chosen from applicants nationwide, giving them the opportunity to meet and interact with the cast.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Shohei Ohtani emerged from the visiting dugout at American Family Field with a bat in his hand, and the mass of media members scattered in foul territory up the third-base line shifted his way, pulled by the magnetic force that is Ohtani’s stardom.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • One person was killed in a strike on Riyadh airport, a Saudia Airlines plane was reportedly in flames, and hundreds of flights have been canceled.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • To try to ease tensions during loud stretches of construction, Zuckerberg’s staff handed out gifts like noise-canceling headphones.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of cancel
Verb
  • Also consider what your preferred format of communication is, whether that be live chat or a phone line, and if a particular brokerage offers that.
    — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Large rental agencies often don’t bother recovering vehicles that disappear across the border, and consider the loss the cost of doing business, Carter said.
    — Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of consider
Verb
  • Moirologists, as they’re now known, were usually women, and their job was to display grief by crying, wailing, and tearing their hair.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Families waiting for the aircraft carrier’s arrival in San Diego Bay described crying and losing sleep after hearing about the ship’s food shortages and tough conditions.
    — Julie Watson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Roy interrupts this life update to summon the Diamond Dogs for advice about his predicament.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • On the politics, his statement summons a legacy-killing disaster by wagering that nothing will go wrong, when something likely will go wrong during his presidency.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of summon
Verb
  • Its price is estimated between £35,000-55,000 ($46,000-72,500).
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The University of Iowa in March estimated by the end of 2026 there will be 21,700 new cancer diagnoses in the state and 6,400 new cancer deaths.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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