charge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chargenext
1
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

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2
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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3
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
4
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
5
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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6
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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7
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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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

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9
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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10
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

charge

2 of 2

verb

ˈchärj How to pronounce charge (audio)
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
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
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

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4
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
5
as in to accuse
to make a claim of wrongdoing against he has not yet been charged with any crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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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7
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

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8
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
The men were acquitted of murder charges, and only two were convicted of lesser offenses, according to the coalition. —Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 25 May 2025 Steve Walker, a spokesperson for District Attorney Summer Stephan, said prosecutors rely on information provided by the Sheriff’s Office when filing charges. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025
Verb
In California, a 15-year-old charged with murder must be tried in juvenile court. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 Thirty-one-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois, is now charged by complaint after his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharp. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
  1. indictment
  2. mission
  3. instruction
  4. responsibility
  5. attack
  6. cost
  7. stewardship
  8. expense
Noun
  • In Phan’s indictment, prosecutors wrote the tank he’s accused of trying to burn is owned by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, which is headquartered in Michigan.
    — Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025
  • Clark, 46, is considered a key witness in the case and was called to corroborate claims in Combs’ indictment.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • The mission aimed to deploy eight Starlink simulator satellites and test the vehicle's reentry system with 100 removed heat-shield tiles.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2025
  • The film’s cultural vantage point and anti-colonial sympathies are established in an opening scene set on the historic state of Malacca in 1504, some years ahead of the Portuguese capture thereof — a mission on which the young Ferdinand Magellan was a crew member.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 28 May 2025
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Clear instructions are included, no tools are required and this should be a five or 10 minute exercise that only needs to be done once.
    — Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • The star — who is also a dad to daughters Della Rose Joel, 9, and Remy Anne Joel, 7, with wife Alexis Roderick — is undergoing specific physical therapy under his doctor's instructions.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The president does not have the power to appoint the NPG director; instead, that responsibility is meant to be in the hands of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
    — Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • In difficult moments Bruno is the guy who takes responsibility.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • But after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the movie was retooled with a new finale before being released in theaters on June 21, 2002.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • The Pacers, behind an unrelenting uptempo attack and superior depth, have won the third and fourth quarters in both games, as well as overtime in Game 1.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Associations struggling with the cost of full association management may wish to consider at least financial management.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Hawaii became the first U.S. state to establish a climate impact fee on Tuesday, placing an additional tax on tourists to fund climate change resiliency projects and environmental stewardship within the islands.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • Recent research from a collaboration between WTW and Directors and Boards explored the evolution of effective stewardship among boards.
    — John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Medical and educational expenses easily top some of the most expensive costs a parent or guardian may face.
    — David Kudla, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The market index currently yields 1.25%, while the ETF has a 1.81% yield and 0.33% expense ratio.
    — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Definition of expense

Phrases Containing charge

Browse Nearby Words

chares
charge
chargeable
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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Nglish: Translation of charge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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