robocall

[ roh-boh-kawl ]

noun

, Digital Technology, Telecommunications.

1. a telephone call placed to large numbers of people by a computerized device that automatically dials the telephone numbers and plays a recorded message:

   Many but not all robocalls are illegal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of robocall¹

First recorded in 1990–95; robo- + call (in the sense “telephone call”)

Example Sentences

From fake robocalls to bogus celebrity endorsement of candidates, AI-generated content is testing tech platforms and lawmakers.

From Los Angeles Times

AI programs have already been used to generate misleading content, such as a robocall that mimicked the voice of Biden telling New Hampshire voters not to cast a ballot in that state’s primary.

From Seattle Times

Each pair of charges is tied to a specific voter who received the robocall.

From New York Times

Fast forward to our age of metaverse lies and deceptions, and one might ask similar questions about what’s real and what’s not: Is President Biden on a robocall telling Democrats to not vote?

From Los Angeles Times

She said election offices might deal with everything from threatening emails and phone calls to an AI-generated robocall sent to poll workers telling them to stay home on Election Day.

From Seattle Times