charter 1 of 2

charter

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word charter different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of charter are hire, lease, let, and rent. While all these words mean "to engage or grant for use at a price," charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use.

charter a bus to go to the game

How do hire and let relate to one another, in the sense of charter?

Both hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use.

we hired a car for the summer
decided to let the cottage to a young couple

In what contexts can lease take the place of charter?

While in some cases nearly identical to charter, lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease.

the diplomat leased an apartment for a year

When would rent be a good substitute for charter?

The words rent and charter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting.

instead of buying a house, they decided to rent
will not rent to families with children

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 charter
Noun
The team purchased a charter, which elevated its status with drivers and fans. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Since Olympic charter flights to Milan will be departing from the New York area, and because the Islanders had been promised an event in February 2026, the possibility of doing a big press availability was discussed as an alternative. Chris Johnston, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
In 2022 the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe chartered the troop. Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025 There are three ways of getting there, either by chartering a helicopter, going on a three-day hike or taking a two-day trip by ATV, which is most preferred by the park rangers linked to the Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation. ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charter
Noun
  • Russia and Venezuela have signed multiple agreements in recent years, including a strategic partnership treaty aimed at expanding military and economic cooperation.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • None of those countries had signed the treaty.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The district board is set to adopt its 2025-26 grant award list at its regular meeting Tuesday.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Getting money out the door has been further complicated by layoffs that have gutted offices overseeing grants on chronic disease prevention, HIV, maternal mortality and more.
    Amy Maxmen, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Gap owns the property at 30–31 Long Acre, and refused to rent it out, even after vacating in 2021 during the company-wide restructuring.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
  • That means a shopper getting 10% back on Rakuten could see more than 20% back in value through Bilt points — which can then be used toward flights, hotels, or even rent.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Advertisement On the Democratic side, Virginia’s legislature has begun the complicated process of working to amend the state constitution to enable redistricting.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Besides Adebayo, Miami’s only other available center was two-way contract player Vlad Goldin, who arrived from a G-League assignment but did not play.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Full-time faculty members on 12-month contracts commit to another 192 hours during TCC’s two summer sessions.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The shoes are crafted from a glossy white patent calf leather, which makes the brand’s signature red sole pop even more.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Clinical trials showed that ivermectin didn’t work, but COVID skeptics viewed medicine’s rejection of it as part of a conspiracy by Big Pharma against a cheap, off-patent drug.
    Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Twenty days after the trade, Kupchak stepped down from his position and transitioned into an advisory role, coinciding with the Hornets hiring former Nets executive Jeff Peterson as their new general manager.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Brody was also joined onscreen by his wife, Leighton Meester, who played an influencer and former friend of Joanne (Kristen Bell) who hired Noah for her baby-naming ceremony.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The forthcoming projects are authorized by Shakur’s daughter, Kakuya Shakur, and produced and co-directed by the sister-brother filmmaking team through their banner, Indigo Films.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Owner Ray Davis authorized massive contracts to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in hopes of making the club competitive, but then held the reins tight after the team won the World Series in 2023.
    Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charter. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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