CHARGE Synonyms: 575 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

charge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of charge next

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

Relevance

as in mission

a specific task with which a person or group is charged your charge is to keep everyone else organized and busy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cost

the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something the charge for the book will be five dollars

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

as in to ask

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to impose

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty charges a restocking fee for returned merchandise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority charged the soldier to keep watch over the prisoner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to accuse

to make a claim of wrongdoing against he has not yet been charged with any crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fill

to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained charge a blast furnace with iron ore

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 charge

Noun

Additional charges could be filed pending the outcome of the investigation. —

Landon Mion, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025 Mandich was booked into Ventura County Jail on a felony charge of arson under California Penal Code 451(d) and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court. —

Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025

Verb

Mitchell was arrested last year at her stepmother's house and charged for allegedly taking items that belonged to her late father, including his ashes. —

Dana Ferguson, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025 According to reports, no one had been charged with causing her death. —

Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for charge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge

Noun

The former president, along with Nauta and De Oliveira, pleaded not guilty in a superseding indictment to allegedly attempting to delete surveillance footage at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

— Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
No one is surprised that Republicans asked Hegseth no hard questions — but that’s an indictment of the state of affairs in and of itself.

— S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025