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

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 Colon faces a misdemeanor charge of duty on striking a structure/fixture, according to police. —

Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026 Melanie Ayala, an off-duty Brooklyn EMT, rushed from her place in the crowd to help the man after realizing that there didn't appear to be any medical staff on hand. —

Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 The ice machine is ready for extra duty at Lankenau Medical Center, where the emergency department is expecting to see a growing number of patients with heat illnesses. —

Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Investigators say he was initially confronted by an off-duty police officer who was working at the church. —

Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty

Noun

The state reimposed its fuel tax earlier this month, adding to costs already pushed higher by rising oil prices due to global uncertainty and the latest conflict with Iran.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Kudos to Scott Maxwell for taking on Orange County Major Jerry Demings over plans to yet again squander a small fortune of local tax dollars on boondoggle tourism projects.

— Mike Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Definition of tax

Noun

If your energy dips, take a brief stretch, then return to the task with a lighter touch and clearer purpose.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
Both teams are dangerous and could make runs, but getting past their first opponents in the next stage will be a daunting task.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

Definition of task

Noun

If a joint bill or obligation appears unexpectedly, review the details together, then document who will do what by when.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
Other types of debts that are not eligible for debt settlement plans include federal student loans and most tax obligations.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 26 June 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

But shareholders have pushed back against hefty pay packages, which come during a period of upheaval in Hollywood that has been buffeted by job losses from media consolidation and outsourcing.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Yet despite those struggles, South Africa, one of Africa’s leading industrial economies, remains a destination for migrants willing to take low-paying jobs in domestic work, security and agriculture.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Definition of job

Noun

In the interim, Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight assumed Hill’s responsibilities.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
In that way, a commitment to physical fitness and its various metrics offers leaders greater tolerance for the demanding responsibilities of the role.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026

Definition of responsibility

Noun

Educators can now access a Google Classroom app inside Gemini that gives it the context of their classrooms, such as the assignments, the materials, and the grades.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
The Senior Center cannot arrange seating or table assignments.

— Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2026

Definition of assignment

Noun

Handle power dynamics well by stating needs and listening for fears beneath reactions.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Instead, the space agency is planning a mission to rescue the telescope and extend its mission for several more years – negating the need to spend more money to replace the observatory, NASA said in a press release.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2026