call out

British  

verb

1. to utter aloud, esp loudly

2. (tr) to summon

3. (tr) to order (workers) to strike

4. (tr) to summon (an employee) to work at a time outside his normal working hours, usually in an emergency

5. (tr) to challenge to a duel

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call out Idioms  

1. Summon into action or service, as in The governor called out the militia . [Mid-1400s]

2. Challenge to a fight, as in To avenge the insult, Arthur called him out . This term originated with dueling and is dying out. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

When called out, the administration warned that the memes would continue.

From Salon

A fire in June 2025, which saw Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service called out, caused operations at the site to largely cease, although it has not been closed off.

From BBC

Zeke heard Daniel’s little voice call out, “Eat my dust, suckers!”

From Literature

Lowell hopes the campaign will provide information not often advertised, and encourage like-minded consumers to call out chains for removing what she considers a basic right.

From The Wall Street Journal

The department’s aviation and mountain rescue units were called out.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ask for
• assert
• call for
• claim
• confront
• defy
• demand
• denounce
• impose
• require
• test
• try