Synonyms of bid

bid 1 of 4

noun

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

• attempt
• try
• offer
• stab
• endeavor
• go
• shot
• pass
• trial
• essay
• assay
• crack
• bash
• fling
• struggle
• whack
• undertaking
• whirl
• striving
• throes
• trial and error

bid

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈbid 

1

as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

the servants were expected to do exactly as they were bidden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• order
• instruct
• tell
• ask
• command
• beg
• enjoin
• direct
• advise
• boss (around)
• request
• charge
• warn
• petition
• adjure
• appoint
• require
• force
• compel
• authorize
• counsel
• beseech
• manage
• entreat
• assign
• control
• supervise
• lead
• commission
• conduct
• coerce
• oversee
• oblige
• constrain
• superintend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mind
• keep
• follow
• comply (with)
• obey
• observe

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

• invite
• ask
• solicit
• summon
• call
• beckon

bade

3 of 4

verb (2)

variants or bid

past tense of bid

1

as in instructed

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

the servants were expected to do exactly as they were bidden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instructed
• ordered
• told
• commanded
• asked
• begged
• enjoined
• adjured
• directed
• advised
• warned
• charged
• appointed
• requested
• petitioned
• required
• entreated
• beseeched
• compelled
• bossed (around)
• forced
• obliged
• authorized
• commissioned
• assigned
• led
• managed
• counseled
• supervised
• constrained
• conducted
• coerced
• controlled
• superintended
• oversaw

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• obeyed
• observed
• kept
• minded
• complied (with)

2

as in invited

to request the presence or participation of

as company president, I bid you all to come to our annual holiday party!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• invited
• asked
• summoned
• beckoned
• solicited
• called

bidden

4 of 4

verb (3)

variants or bid also bade

past participle of bid

1

as in ordered

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

the servants were expected to do exactly as they were bidden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instructed
• ordered
• commanded
• requested
• told
• compelled
• obliged
• enjoined
• directed
• adjured
• advised
• petitioned
• asked
• charged
• authorized
• commissioned
• appointed
• begged
• warned
• bossed (around)
• entreated
• assigned
• required
• conducted
• forced
• beseeched
• supervised
• constrained
• managed
• counseled
• led
• superintended
• controlled
• coerced
• overseen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obeyed
• followed
• observed
• kept
• minded
• complied (with)

2

as in asked

to request the presence or participation of

as company president, I bid you all to come to our annual holiday party!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• invited
• asked
• summoned
• solicited
• beckoned
• called

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

Recent Examples of bid

Noun

Pratt, 42, admitted that his time in the City of Angels may come to a close if the exit polls don't align with his mayoral bid. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026

As Spencer Pratt films his latest reality show about his bid for Los Angeles mayor, the stakes have never been higher. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 May 2026

Verb

Stephen Colbert is bidding farewell to late-night as The Late Show ends its run on CBS on Thursday, May 21. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 15 May 2026

Fundamental was the endless work of initial KC2026 World Cup bid executive director David Ficklin, successor Katherine Holland, KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer and her team of teams and Chiefs and Sporting KC personnel who are stories in themselves. —Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026

Verb

For the sake of their future, the Lakers should bid farewell to LeBron James, argues columnist Bill Plaschke. —Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

There are bidding wars on every Elizabeth Street storefront with rents ranging from $175 to $250 per square foot, Yanoff says. —Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 May 2026

Verb

Looking ahead, Farzad said multiple carriers are likely to bid for pieces of Spirit rather than the whole company, including Frontier Airlines and JetBlue, both of which had previously explored deals. —Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

The full moon will both welcome and bid farewell to the month of May, according to NASA. —Joshua Bessex, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing bid

• bid fair