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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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charge

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verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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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
Vasquez, 64, of Davie, was given a $1 million bond and pleaded not guilty to the same conspiracy charges. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025 As in Garcia’s case, though, none of the tips led to criminal charges. Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
In a world racing toward electrified transportation, one stubborn roadblock remains – limited charging infrastructure. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025 Shaw is charged with murder, police said, and he is currently being held at the Hamilton County Detention Center. Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
Noun
  • Details from the indictment filed in Maryland's district court charge Bolton with eight counts for the transmission of national defense information and 10 counts of unlawful retention of such information.
    NPR, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The indictments against all three men were eventually dismissed.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Her mission is to be an example of overcoming adversity, reminding the world that true success comes from working with love, respect, and shining without dimming the light of others.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This year, the festival expands upon its environmental mission through a new partnership with Don't Trash Glass, a national program from the Glass Packaging Institute, a trade association that advocates for the use and recycling of glass, according to a news release.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Max was in the tender while Christian and Tessa worked the connecting lines according to Nathan’s careful instructions.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Some blankets can be used on a couch or bed, but many require a hard, flat surface—always follow your model’s instructions.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Milne joined the network in 2019 as managing editor of CBS This Morning, and took on additional responsibilities, like breaking news, the following year.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Sponsors assume no responsibility for any error, omissions, interruption, deletion, defect or delay in operation with transmission, communications, line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or allegation of submissions.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Federico Gatti was also excellent in thwarting Madrid’s attacks.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The attack has spurred allegations of a hate crime against the girl, who is Yemeni and Muslim.
    Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • According to The Dallas Morning News, the new junior tour will feature 10-12 events in 2026, eliminating entry fees and membership costs.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025
  • But the intense grind, loss and cost of the summer months has still left Pokrovsk, Kupiansk and Kostyantynivka in Ukrainian hands.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • They were heartened by their peers’ interest in reclaiming land stewardship practices and ensuring access for future generations.
    Fortune, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • James spoke to his goal of strengthening each of the sheriff's office's three pillars of safety, service and stewardship.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This includes reasonable expenses, such as meals, toiletries and lodging for trips delayed more than six hours or requiring an overnight stay.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Payments to that company accounted for nearly two-thirds of the party’s expenses during the period.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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