charge 1 of 2

Definition of chargenext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

9
10

charge

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
7
8

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

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
What records say Kerlew faced a long list of charges in the early 2000s in Florida’s Palm Beach County, according to the local court clerk’s office. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026 Performance limits and safety metrics The same units tolerated short 30-second power pulses up to 10C when held at a 50% state of charge. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Verb
The suspect was charged with 21 felony counts of animal cruelty. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 Then, when the charging order is issued, the charging order will also be filed in the state of the LLC's formation. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
Noun
  • The Afghan national accused of carrying out a deadly ambush-style shooting targeting National Guard members near the White House pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all charges in a 17-count federal superseding indictment.
    Bonny Chu , Jake Gibson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
  • The 32-year-old Rozier was charged with two counts this past fall, but prosecutors added two new charges last month in a superseding indictment.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • These individuals are deeply collaborative, mission-driven and eager to innovate at the intersections of disciplines.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
  • It was used in bombing missions during the current conflict between the US and Iran.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • Authorities also urged anyone celebrating to follow NYPD instructions.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • Before cleaning your oven with vinegar, consult the manufacturer's instructions.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Of course, somewhere so exposed to nature has a responsibility to maintain the beauty of the area.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026
  • Most significantly, Lee wants voters to grant the mayor’s office a veto over Oakland City Council decisions and absorb many day-to-day responsibilities of running the city.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • The Kerch road and rail crossing, opened by Putin in 2018, has been the target of previous Ukrainian attacks.
    Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • Two other individuals survived that attack, the military said.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Even in the 1970s, the RAND Corporation, a US thinktank, was investigating how Dassault managed to field advanced fighter jets on time and at a cost well below US manufacturers.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • Those designs showed roadways through people’s homes, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods that have borne the cost of growth before.
    Nicholas Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Examples include Jesus of Nazareth in a broader sense, or companies like Patagonia and Buurtzorg Nederland that push radical stewardship.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • Chandler, who joins the university June 22, brings decades of executive leadership experience with expertise in financial stewardship, strategic planning, operational leadership and collaborative governance, the release said.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • After former President Joe Biden issued a presidential disaster declaration for the fire, residents were able to apply for emergency federal financial assistance and benefits, which included money for home repairs, personal property damage, transportation, medical expenses and housing assistance.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 18 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster