call on

verb

called on; calling on; calls on
Synonyms of call onnext

transitive verb

1
: to call upon
Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?
2
: to elicit a response from (someone, such as a student)
the teacher called on her first
3
US, informal : to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)
She's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls her on it.

Examples of call on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Rookie fifth-round running back Emmett Johnson flashed vision in the opener, finishing with 12 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown erased by a holding call on Hunter Nourzad. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The prom picture caught the attention of Garner's followers, with one fan calling on the actress to reunite with her former date and recreate the pose. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Clarify who has the ultimate call on trade-offs between budget, timeline and scope. — Susana Cabrera, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The largest party representing the country’s considerable Kurdish minority also chose not to field a candidate and called on its supporters to vote for Kılıçdaroğlu. — Nick Taborall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call on

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call on was in the 13th century

Rhymes for call on

See All Rhymes for call on

Browse Nearby Words

call of nature
call on
call one's bluff
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Call on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20on. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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