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

Relevance

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
Moulton’s Senate primary rationale, stated or otherwise, rests on the enduring public image of former President Joe Biden, who withdrew from his 2024 reelection bid after a disastrous debate against Trump revealed limitations of being in office at age 82 and beyond. David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025 Fans cheered as a group of investors led by Texan Tom Dundon went all-in with a $4 billion bid for the team, which has now been accepted. Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Raftelis recommended Louisville bid out just one zone to begin with, as a pilot. Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025 And Earick, a former DJ and ex-NASA employee, now has until October 24 to announce a firm intention to bid or his group will also have to step back. Matt Slater, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bid
Noun
  • The big story Immigration anxieties and a challenging job market have sparked an online backlash over China's latest attempt at attracting global talent — a new visa program announced in August.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • China has landed on the Red Planet once, sticking the landing on its first attempt in 2021, setting the Zhurong rover down successfully in southern Utopia Planitia as part of the Tianwen 1 mission.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The administration also ordered Texas troops to Portland and Chicago.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • He was sentenced to serve seven days in a DUI education center and ordered to pay a $350 fine and court fees.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The entire scene unfolded on Neuheisel’s network, which invited viewers to witness the emotional roller coaster of a father rooting for his son.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Years ago, around 2010, her friend from the University of Kansas, Abigail (yes, that Abigail), and her boyfriend at the time invited Fulk to see Abigail’s friend perform at a nearby concert.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pathak said this floor also houses UHealth’s largest cancer support care and survivorship resource center, which offers cancer patients a variety of services, including acupuncture, massage, wig try-ons and psychology services.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Even if Young made a good throw, McMillan would have been short of the first-down marker and Fitzgerald would have been left with about a 53-yard try.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The agency is investigating what caused the crash, but noted air traffic control had instructed flight 5155 to wait to cross the intersection and yield to the other aircraft.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • According to the allegations, King instructed a female employee to remove her sweater, which was covering a V-neck blouse.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But when officers stand in the road, Dutch Bros customers stop and ask them questions.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • She was asked to write about her devotion to Jesus, and her works were published after her death.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Another told Feltner to call a township trustee.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Caroline Ervin, landscape designer and owner of The Georgetown Garden Shop, told shrubs that produce berries in the fall are especially valuable during migration season, offering essential nutrition to birds in need of high-fat, energy-rich foods.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!