bid 1 of 2

as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something a dramatic film that is widely regarded as the comedian's last-ditch bid to be taken seriously as an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bid

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to invite
to request the presence or participation of as company president, I bid you all to come to our annual holiday party!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bid are charge, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another, in the sense of bid?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of bid?

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 does the word direct relate to its synonym instruct, in the sense of bid?

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 can enjoin be used instead of bid?

While the synonyms enjoin and bid are close in meaning, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When might order be a better fit than bid?

The words order and bid can be used in similar contexts, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

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 bid
Noun
The cash offer is unchanged from MFE’s original bid, but the share swap component is significantly improved, up from an original offer of 0.4 MFE-A shares per ProSieben share. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025 Such businesses will be eligible for a 5 percent bid preference, and the city will have a goal of issuing 30 percent of it contracts over $100,000 to small businesses. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
On Wednesday, a U.S. District Judge rejected a Justice Department bid to unseal grand jury materials related to Epstein. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 Laing did not respond to questions about why the Ash Street property on its own was never put out to bid, or why no property condition report has been made available for public inspection. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bid
Noun
  • By end of 2021, Russian troops returned to the border in even greater numbers, and Biden made another attempt to defuse the tensions with a presidential summit.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
  • For nearly two weeks, Texas Democrats have stymied Republicans’ attempts to redraw the state’s congressional districts in the middle of the decade by remaining out of state.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Attorneys for Bedrock Healthcare argue the court's decision to order the nursing homes into receivership was hasty and unnecessary.
    Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • On inauguration day, President Trump ordered a sweeping 90-day spending freeze on virtually all U.S. foreign aid, including many forms of health and food assistance.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not invited.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • In that case, consider inviting your friends to drop in on a class with you someplace else.
    Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There is medical help for both circadian rhythm disorder and depression, and the mother should be urged to give it a try, if not for her own sake, then for her daughter's.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Oatmeal Raisin was passable as well, and the Psychedelic Cookies were worth a try too.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As the experts noted, the executive order only instructs the Department of Labor to review existing regulations and guidance around alternative investments.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
  • For Nautilus and Mach-E vehicle owners, Ford will mail owner notification letters instructing them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the part replaced.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • During talent reviews, ask: who developed across the business this year?
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • During an appearance on the Thursday, Aug. 7, edition of 360 With Speedy, the actor was asked to share a story about the singer.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Tremonton Garland Police officers responded around 9:30 p.m. to the area near North Park Elementary School and were met with gunfire from a suspect, Brigham City Detective Crystal Beck told reporters during a briefing overnight.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Someone might be stalking you; someone might say something nice to your face and then run out and tell [the tabloids].
    Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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