CALLED ON Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

called on

phrase

variants or called upon

past tense of call on

as in relied

to place reliance or trust She's the one I call on when I need a friend.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in asked

to make a request of She called on me for a ride to the airport.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in begged

to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner They called on a specialist after other avenues had failed.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 on Backup quarterback Tanner McKee filled in for Hurts in Week 18 to close the 2025 season and will be called upon again this Sunday. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The officials elected in 2026 will likely be called upon to respond to legal challenges to voter eligibility, election procedures and results, and, in some states, to defend or certify contested outcomes. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 The National Organization for Women (NOW) called upon women nationwide to strike for equality on that day. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 In this uncertain new world, Baier has established himself as the face of Fox’s news operation, the man called upon to moderate presidential debates and interview world leaders. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 Etienne can not only shoulder some of that but also provide a receiving spark when called upon. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026 For this, Lancôme has called upon its brand ambassadors Demi Moore, Christy Turlington, Zoé Saldaña and Vanessa Kirby to share their own stories. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026 Last year, Verrier called upon Roth for his catering appointment for Phish, who was playing three nights at Folsom Field in Boulder. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 Once viewed as a potential Game 1 starter, Holmes faded out of the playoff picture, though he likely would have been called upon if the Cubs forced a Game 3. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

Style

“Called on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20on. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of called on

phrase

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes