DUTY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'duty' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of duty are assignment , chore , job , stint , and task . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance. // the duties of a lifeguard

Q: When is it sensible to use 'assignment' instead of 'duty'?

In some situations, the words assignment and duty are roughly equivalent. However, assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority. // a reporter's assignment

Q: Where would 'chore' be a reasonable alternative to 'duty'?

The words chore and duty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm. // every child was assigned chores

Q: When could 'job' be used to replace 'duty'?

The synonyms job and duty are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance. // the job of turning the company around

Q: In what contexts can 'stint' take the place of 'duty'?

The meanings of stint and duty largely overlap; however, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service. // a 2-month stint as a reporter

Q: When can 'task' be used instead of 'duty'?

Although the words task and duty have much in common, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance. // charged with a variety of tasks

duty

noun

ˈdü-tē

Definition of duty next

as in tax

a charge usually of money collected by the government from people or businesses for public use the shop at the airport charges no duty on tourist memorabilia

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly the regular duties of a lifeguard

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in obligation

something one must do because of prior agreement I must obey the call of duty and serve my country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of duty are assignment, chore, job, stint, and task. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

When is it sensible to use assignment instead of duty?

In some situations, the words assignment and duty are roughly equivalent. However, assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

Where would chore be a reasonable alternative to duty?

The words chore and duty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When could job be used to replace duty?

The synonyms job and duty are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of duty?

The meanings of stint and duty largely overlap; however, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

When can task be used instead of duty?

Although the words task and duty have much in common, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

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 duty The king restricted himself to constitutional duties for a period of time, scrapping public visits in the early part of the year following his diagnosis in February. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Biden left nearly all of Trump’s China tariffs in place, while imposing his own import duties on electric vehicles and other goods earlier this year. —

Tobias Burns, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are flooded with messages from celebrities and influencers urging people to vote, and hip-hop artists have been at the forefront, using their cultural influence to galvanize civic duty. —

Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024 The following week, Charli XCX will juggle both duties as host and musical guest, on November 16. —

Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for duty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty

Noun

The company maintains a tax holiday for a subsidiary in the APAC region, which contributed to a lower effective tax rate of 13.7% for the year.

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Last week, bond yields surged on expectations that President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to lower tax rates, increase tariffs and reduce regulation could ultimately lead to higher U.S. government debt and inflation, along with faster economic growth.

Alex Veiga, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024