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

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

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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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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

Examples 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

Authorities haven’t released a motive and said that witness interviews and a review of digital evidence led to the charges. —

Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a statement that cited the statute of limitations had expired for any domestic violence charges against Manson (real name Brian Warner) and the evidence is not sufficient enough to charge him in court. —

Thania Garcia, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Verb

Jansen was charged with arson, burglary, and possession of burglarious tools, according to online court records. —

Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025 Since last Sunday, during most hours, cars crossing into the lower half of Manhattan are charged nine dollars. —

Mo Rocca, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for charge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge

Noun

The indictment follows Yoon’s arrest ten days ago, when South Korean prosecutors finally succeeded in forcing him to surrender at his residence after a prolonged stand-off with his presidential bodyguard.

— Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025
That swab obtained long ago eventually led to Mr. Cady’s indictment last month on a first-degree murder charge in Ms. Searight’s death, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced in a news release on Thursday.

— Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025