CHARGE Synonyms: 575 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'charge' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid , command , direct , enjoin , instruct , and order . While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. // charged by the President with a secret mission

Q: When is 'bid' a more appropriate choice than 'charge'?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge , bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). // she bade him be seated

Q: How are the words 'command' and 'order' related as synonyms of 'charge'?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority. // a general commanding troops

Q: How do 'direct' and 'instruct' relate to one another, in the sense of 'charge'?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. // directed her assistant to hold all calls // the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

Q: When would 'enjoin' be a good substitute for 'charge'?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. // a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

Q: In what contexts can 'order' take the place of 'charge'?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. // ordered his employees about like slaves

Q: How does the verb 'charge' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid , command , direct , enjoin , instruct , and order . While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. // charged by the President with a secret mission

Q: When is 'bid' a more appropriate choice than 'charge'?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge , bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). // she bade him be seated

Q: How are the words 'command' and 'order' related as synonyms of 'charge'?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority. // a general commanding troops

Q: How do 'direct' and 'instruct' relate to one another, in the sense of 'charge'?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. // directed her assistant to hold all calls // the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

charge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of charge next

as in indictment

a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person charges of burglary and armed robbery that have yet to be proved

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in mission

a specific task with which a person or group is charged your charge is to keep everyone else organized and busy

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in instruction

a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned we've received an official charge about how to handle the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in responsibility

something one must do because of prior agreement the first charge of our armed forces is to defend this country against enemy attack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the famously disastrous charge led by General George Pickett at Gettysburg

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as in cost

the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something the charge for the book will be five dollars

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as in stewardship

the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control was given charge of the business during the owner's absence

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as in expense

a payment made in the course of achieving a result the charges mounted at a dizzying pace as the building project went way over budget

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as in thrill

a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings the slopes at this resort aren't particularly challenging and aren't likely to give expert skiers much of a charge

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as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something he inherited charge of the Paris bureau after his supervisor quit

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charge

2 of 2

verb

ˈchärj

as in to ask

to set or receive as a price any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

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as in to impose

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty charges a restocking fee for returned merchandise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to task

to give a task, duty, or responsibility to we're charging you with the care of your little sister while we're gone for the evening

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as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority charged the soldier to keep watch over the prisoner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to accuse

to make a claim of wrongdoing against he has not yet been charged with any crime

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as in to fill

to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained charge a blast furnace with iron ore

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

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as in to thrill

to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of the players are going into this game still charged from their upset victory the week before

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb charge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

When is bid a more appropriate choice than charge?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of charge?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

How do direct and instruct relate to one another, in the sense of charge?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

When would enjoin be a good substitute for charge?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

In what contexts can order take the place of charge?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

How does the verb charge contrast with its synonyms?

charged by the President with a secret mission

When is bid a more appropriate choice than charge?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of charge?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

How do direct and instruct relate to one another, in the sense of charge?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

When would enjoin be a good substitute for charge?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

In what contexts can order take the place of charge?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

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 charge

Noun

Yet certain types of speech can still trigger criminal charges, and Morocco has seen tightening restrictions on dissent, including against journalists and activists. —

ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026 Combs was found guilty on prostitution charges and is set for release from Fort Dix FCI on April 25, 2028. —

Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

Verb

In addition to penalties, the IRS charges interest on unpaid taxes from the date the payment was originally due, and the interest compounds. —

Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026 The rope from outside was wrapped in duct tape, packed with pieces of paper covered in synthetic cannabis, more than 100 strips of buprenorphine, about 27 bags of marijuana, wrapping paper, more than 400 cigarettes, two lighters, a scalpel and a cellphone charging cord and plug. —

John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge

Noun

While Bingham was the CEO, Joseph’s involvement in the company was hidden from investors as he was convicted of a separate federal wire fraud case in South Florida in early 2020, the indictment said.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
But the drop in shot attempts is most glaring — and the most damning indictment of Brown’s new offense.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of indictment

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Style

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of charge

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing charge

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on charge

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