CALLING Synonyms: 346 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'calling' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of calling are business , employment , métier , occupation , pursuit , and work . While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. // the ministry seemed my true calling

Q: Where would 'business' be a reasonable alternative to 'calling'?

While in some cases nearly identical to calling , business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs. // the business of managing a hotel

Q: In what contexts can 'employment' take the place of 'calling'?

The words employment and calling can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer. // your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

Q: When might 'métier' be a better fit than 'calling'?

The synonyms métier and calling are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted. // acting was my one and only métier

Q: When can 'occupation' be used instead of 'calling'?

The meanings of occupation and calling largely overlap; however, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training. // his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pursuit' instead of 'calling'?

Although the words pursuit and calling have much in common, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest. // her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

Q: When would 'work' be a good substitute for 'calling'?

While the synonyms work and calling are close in meaning, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not. // her work as a hospital volunteer

calling 1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯ-liŋ

Definition of calling

as in cancellation

the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to the calling of the match was a disappointment to both players

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living I think my true calling will be as a commercial artist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

calling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of call

as in shouting

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dialing

to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in visiting

to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call

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as in canceling

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the game was called on account of rain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in considering

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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as in crying

to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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as in summoning

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

as in estimating

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in asking

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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as in naming

to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly"

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as in ordering

to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the union president is refusing to call a strike

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in predicting

to tell of or describe beforehand somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun calling differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of calling are business, employment, métier, occupation, pursuit, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to calling?

While in some cases nearly identical to calling, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

In what contexts can employment take the place of calling?

The words employment and calling can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When might métier be a better fit than calling?

The synonyms métier and calling are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

When can occupation be used instead of calling?

The meanings of occupation and calling largely overlap; however, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When is it sensible to use pursuit instead of calling?

Although the words pursuit and calling have much in common, pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When would work be a good substitute for calling?

While the synonyms work and calling are close in meaning, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

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 calling

Noun

Final Thoughts Intermedia Unite offers dependable, AI-powered calling and video conferencing, a powerful set of administrative features, and excellent support, all while maintaining a consistent experience across a variety of platforms. — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 But together with his mother, Alison, the 22-year-old has found a calling in speaking up for people with disabilities in Tallahassee. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

What about when Carole was hiding in the closet to try to overhear Luann calling her a pedophile, and Jules Wainstein kept trying to ruin her ruse? — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Instead of calling 911, Siedlecki went on social media while her husband waited nearly 45 minutes before contacting a friend for help, according to the DA’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for calling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calling

Noun

Read More The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors.

— Brad Bourque, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
In our review, PCMag audio expert Tim Gideon lauded these headphones' above-average noise cancellation at their regular price.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancellation

Noun

Incident response has always been a human profession disguised as a technical one.

— Tony Kirtley, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Teaching is a profession no less than medicine or law, and those of us who aren’t professional educators can help but usually won’t be as effective as professionals.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of profession

Verb

After most of the sellout crowd filed out Wednesday, one solitary Sox fan stood at his seat under the press box, shouting obscenities about the Guardians and the city of Cleveland.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 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 shouting

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
After Nix and company finally put the ball in the end zone and clawed to within 17-14, Joseph took a big swing to try to get the ball back, dialing up a first-down blitz from San Francisco’s 42-yard line.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of dialing

Verb

At the Old Bailey Gallery, curator Dan Bailey hosts visiting artists to build the city's relationship with outside talent, while Studio by the Tracks has forged a grassroots space for artists with autism.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Lehmann was reminded of the conversation after visiting Vicuña’s solo show at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) last November.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of visiting

Verb

What transpired in-between the curtain raiser and final pose was much like what had gone down the previous night in Cincinnati, at the first public gig the Beach Boys had done since canceling a slew of dates beginning in July.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
In an interview with Tulsa news station Fox23, Meulenberg also emphasized that the department did not recommend canceling the concert.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of canceling

Verb

Daines and Merkley also want committee leaders to have a one-day fast-track for considering popular bills with strong committee support from both parties that would allow those bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
If one or both don’t play, the Dolphins could pull off the upset, considering the Bengals ranks 31st in the league in rushing.

— Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of considering

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 crying

Browse Nearby Words

call in

calling

calling down

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“Calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calling. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of calling

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verb

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Synonyms of calling

noun

verb

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Cite this Entry

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