Synonyms of bid

bid 1 of 2

noun

as in attempt

an effort to do or accomplish something

a dramatic film that is widely regarded as the comedian's last-ditch bid to be taken seriously as an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attempt
• try
• offer
• stab
• endeavor
• go
• shot
• pass
• trial
• essay
• assay
• crack
• bash
• fling
• struggle
• whack
• undertaking
• whirl
• striving
• throes
• trial and error

bid

2 of 2

verb

ˈbid 

1

as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

the servants were expected to do exactly as they were bidden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• order
• instruct
• tell
• ask
• command
• beg
• enjoin
• direct
• advise
• boss (around)
• request
• charge
• warn
• petition
• adjure
• appoint
• require
• force
• compel
• authorize
• counsel
• beseech
• manage
• entreat
• assign
• control
• supervise
• lead
• commission
• conduct
• coerce
• oversee
• oblige
• constrain
• superintend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mind
• keep
• follow
• comply (with)
• obey
• observe

2

as in to invite

to request the presence or participation of

as company president, I bid you all to come to our annual holiday party!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• invite
• ask
• solicit
• summon
• call
• beckon

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bid are charge, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another, in the sense of bid?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

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

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 does the word direct relate to its synonym instruct, in the sense of bid?

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 can enjoin be used instead of bid?

While the synonyms enjoin and bid are close in meaning, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When might order be a better fit than bid?

The words order and bid can be used in similar contexts, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bid

Noun

Ryan Bos, who has been executive director of DC’s Capital Pride Alliance since 2011, was thrilled when the group’s bid to host WorldPride was accepted in 2022. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 6 June 2025

By the time their expansion bid was selected in October 2023, the WNBA had not added an expansion team in 15 years. —Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Verb

The fans cheered, laughed and opened their wallets to bid on exclusive experiences, with the proceeds going to the children’s hospital. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025

Andrey Santos could also be part of Chelsea’s squad in the States, having bid farewell to their French sister club Strasbourg via an Instagram post on May 19. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 May 2025

Phrases Containing bid

• bid fair