called

past tense of call
1
2
as in dialed
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency

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3
4
5
6
as in cried
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail

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7
as in summoned
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

8
as in estimated
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
10
11
as in ordered
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

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 called Two of the three organizations had no idea until Anthropic called them. Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Unbeknownst to David, the system, called WOPR—War Operations Plan Response—is in control of the American nuclear arsenal. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 The part of the pipeline in question, called Line 5, runs for 4 miles along the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Johnny then becomes bonded to a supernatural demon called the Spirit of Vengeance and is able to transform into a flaming, skeletal biker. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 July 2026 Josh Smead runs an architecture business called Liberty Design Development with his wife and hails from Liberty. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026 The woman who called 911 was Thompson’s wife, who heard gunshots and discovered a body on the bed, the chief said. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called
Verb
  • The staff member leading the group says the man cussed at them, shouted derogatory names and continued to reference guns.
    Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The Storm put out an apology after a team co-owner allegedly shouted insults at the girls during the game.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Rodriguez dialed 911 and stayed on the phone with dispatchers until deputies arrived.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • The new Speed Twin 1200 TFC is exactly that – only dialed up another notch.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The Athletic visited The Cardinal last week, and the build-out for the event — including grandstands and other infrastructure — had not yet begun, which would be highly unusual for a golf tournament less than a month out.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Decades after artists like Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau visited the town, in 1953, John Steinbeck wrote an ode to Positano for an 1953 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
    Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Gartner has predicted that more than 40% of agentic AI projects will be canceled by the end of 2027, citing escalating costs, unclear value and inadequate risk controls.
    Ravi Palwe, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The city canceled a visit by code inspectors to examine unpermitted walls in the units, marking the latest setback in a years-long fight for residents to reclaim their building, one of Miami’s largest condo towers.
    Joan Chrissos, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Hamilton entered the race largely considered the frontrunner, despite only launching his campaign in April.
    ABC NEWS, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Packing for such a trip calls for extra care, as outfits are often thoughtfully considered.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Birdie cried and slept and cried, then woke to an oily splotch on the pillowcase.
    Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • At first site, Peters met Moses at the car door and both embraced and cried.
    Liz Crawford, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Dave Dombrowski summoned his assistants, scouts and analysts — everyone and anyone — for daytime meetings followed by a ritual watching of whatever the latest thing is that ails this team.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Italy called for Spain’s suspension from the Schengen open-borders zone within a day of the crossing, and Spain summoned Italy's ambassador in response, a sharp diplomatic exchange between two G7 economies.
    Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • The agency estimated that, with or without toll lanes, I-77 would see a 25% increase in traffic by 2050, meaning the roadway will see over 200,000 cars a day.
    DJ Simmons August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission estimated the subsidies cut the average stand-alone drug plan premium by $26 in 2025 and by $16 in 2026.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Called.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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