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
Dougherty won her re-election bid as secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 399 and will serve through 2028, the group announced Friday. Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025 Because contractors will be chosen based on qualifications instead of submitting the lowest bid, costs for some projects may be higher, city officials said. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Focus Features release, opening November 27, is already a top Academy Awards contender, with Jessie Buckley bidding for Best Actress and Paul Mescal for Best Supporting Actor. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025 Those eligible to bid for the voluntary furlough can bid for one of those options or both, with a preference of time period. Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bid
Noun
  • Such a slow start proved fatal to Yeovil, who went on to finish bottom of the table after being made to wait until October 26 for their first Huish Park victory at the seventh attempt.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Emerson was restrained by flight attendants and moved to the back of the plane, preventing any further attempts to sabotage the aircraft, per authorities.
    Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Be mindful of sugar intake when ordering coffee or preparing your own at home.
    Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has ordered a nonprofit waterfowl sanctuary to kill dozens of flightless ducks and geese on its property within 30 days, citing the facility's lack of proper licensure and amenities.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After attending the Bluebird show, Walker Hayes impulsively invited McAnally to join him on his fall tour.
    Nancy Kruh, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Towards the end of the tour, the children were invited to hold some of the snakes that reside at the zoo.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The two-point try was unsuccessful, but at 17-12, the game was within reach if Houston could figure something out on defense.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ramirez mentioned this to a superior, who instructed Ramirez to direct Chua to the city manager.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Goya’s print with this quote originally features a master donkey, seemingly instructing a disciple.
    Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When asked whether the store will be back next year, Simonson said the company will evaluate changes to the property as needed.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • During his first Zoom consultation with clients, Perri always asked them to share their story.
    Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tom Curran, energy technology analyst with Seaport Research Partners, told Fortune the power opportunity is an emerging bright spot in an industry suffering through a slump.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Joanne can tell there’s trouble when the woman who may one day become her sister-in-law shows up to a double date with bangs.
    Judy Berman, Time, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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