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

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 duty Then, on more sentimental occasion and royal duties, Queen Camilla has added brooches from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection to her wardrobe, including the late monarch’s Cartier sapphire and diamond flower brooches for the Royal Maundy Service last March. Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, Shein customers accepting packages shipped to them from China will need to pay duties themselves. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 7 Feb. 2025 Cases opened as part of the task force's duties will likely continue but no longer be focused through the Justice Department headquarters, according to Reuters. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 However, in cases such as how this one appears, directors owe their fellow unit owners a duty to take action after other reasonable measures have failed. Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for duty 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty
Noun
  • Tariffs are a tax on goods exchanged between countries.
    Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Since just about the Stone Age — say, the 1990s — Republicans have called for replacing the income tax with a consumption tax, for defunding USAID, for abolishing the Department of Education, and for reforming Social Security.
    Amity Shlaes, National Review, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Practical and Theoretical Changes on the Table Reforming IDEA is no small task, but a variety of proposals have emerged from educators, policymakers, and advocacy groups.
    Scott White, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Reason to be fearful: A midweek match under the lights at Villa Park is no easy task for any team.
    Andy Jones, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While changes to the administration of loans may occur, the underlying obligations are expected to persist.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Grande added that labels know how a young star’s life will change and have the obligation to protect them.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Another was fired just a month into her job after relocating more than 1,700 miles to take it.
    Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
  • With portions of this population not receiving an education or job, the economic future of Nigeria was in jeopardy.
    Special to the Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • There's also bipartisan pressure to enforce nonprofit hospitals' responsibility to provide charity care in exchange for their no-tax status, and to more closely examine a drug-purchasing program that many such facilities can take advantage of to get steep discounts on pharmaceuticals.
    Maya Goldman, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Ultimately, creating balance across the festival and making space for different perspectives is the responsibility of the Berlinale rather than individual films or filmmakers.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • One possible silver lining: Stanton has gone on short rehab assignments when he’s gotten hurt in the past.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2025
  • As mentioned above, Iowa’s first-half efficiency from 3-point range was nonexistent in the second half, and Maryland appeared more active staying on its assignments and using its hands to make four steals.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Citing the Kremlin, Popov relished how reports of the conversation between the leaders about the need for the war in Ukraine started by Putin to stop did not include what role Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would play.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
  • In most cases, the use of corticosteroids can help eliminate the need for systemic treatment.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near duty

Cite this Entry

“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on duty

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