charge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chargenext
1
as in indictment
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person charges of burglary and armed robbery that have yet to be proved

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in mission
a specific task with which a person or group is charged your charge is to keep everyone else organized and busy

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned we've received an official charge about how to handle the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in responsibility
something one must do because of prior agreement the first charge of our armed forces is to defend this country against enemy attack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the famously disastrous charge led by General George Pickett at Gettysburg

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cost
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something the charge for the book will be five dollars

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7
as in stewardship
the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control was given charge of the business during the owner's absence

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8
as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the charges mounted at a dizzying pace as the building project went way over budget

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9
as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings the slopes at this resort aren't particularly challenging and aren't likely to give expert skiers much of a charge

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10
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something he inherited charge of the Paris bureau after his supervisor quit

Synonyms & Similar Words

charge

2 of 2

verb

ˈchärj How to pronounce charge (audio)
1
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

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2
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty charges a restocking fee for returned merchandise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to task
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to we're charging you with the care of your little sister while we're gone for the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to order
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority charged the soldier to keep watch over the prisoner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to accuse
to make a claim of wrongdoing against he has not yet been charged with any crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to fill
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained charge a blast furnace with iron ore

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of the players are going into this game still charged from their upset victory the week before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb charge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

When is bid a more appropriate choice than charge?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

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

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 do direct and instruct relate to one another, in the sense of charge?

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 would enjoin be a good substitute for charge?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

In what contexts can order take the place of charge?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

How does the verb charge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

When is bid a more appropriate choice than charge?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

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

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 do direct and instruct relate to one another, in the sense of charge?

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 would enjoin be a good substitute for charge?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

In what contexts can order take the place of charge?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, 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 charge
Noun
Jack Ying Lee, the company’s operations manager, also faces second-degree murder charges, along with Sam Machado, a former Yolo County Sheriff’s deputy who owned the property where the fireworks were stored. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026 With seven color options, our Magnet Grey with Arras Red interior were both included at no extra charge. —Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Two people have been charged with murder in the child's shooting. —Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026 Rodriguez was arrested and charged with murder, per the SBCSD. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
  1. indictment
  2. mission
  3. instruction
  4. responsibility
  5. attack
  6. cost
  7. stewardship
  8. expense
Noun
  • The central bank chief said the subpoenas threatened a criminal indictment related to his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June 2025.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The marketers generated doctors’ orders for the unnecessary medical equipment by using telemedicine companies, many of which were written by doctors who did not have a pre-existing relationship with the beneficiaries or who were not treating them, the indictment said.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • The Army’s policy at the time of the crash mandated that its helicopters fly without that system on to conceal their locations, although the helicopter involved in this crash was on a training flight, not a sensitive mission.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Mireles warned Grays Ferry residents near the collapse site would hear loud noises Sunday into Monday as the recovery mission continued.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • The team also gave Luna a series of initial instructions, including pre-launch priorities like hiring an employee to run the store’s day-to-day operations, deciding what the store should sell and ordering inventory.
    — David Ingram, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Instead, what the court addressed was a single jury instruction, charting several paths forward — including fixing that instruction and trying the case again.
    — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Hengemuhle said that, as human beings, there is a responsibility to do everything possible to combat hate, which requires understanding and educating one another, as well as drawing on different policing and professional backgrounds.
    — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Arrington wants to open up a conversation about adding fiscal responsibility to the country’s Constitution.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • What investigators uncovered was a complex attack involving blockchain infrastructure, malware that functions across various platforms, and thousands of software developers and the companies that hire them.
    — Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching attacks on Persian Gulf states after Kuwait's announcement.
    — Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • But there are concerns about rising ticket prices and soaring production budgets, fueled by higher costs for labor, materials and energy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The group announced the new mutual aid market on social media, citing community concerns over rising costs as the motivation behind the move.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Barely keeping the lights on is hardly a show of stewardship, let alone competence.
    — Kathryn Anne Edwards, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026
  • BlackRock’s large stakes in many public companies have also raised concerns about corporate governance and stewardship.
    — byDebbie Carlson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Like its tech peers, Meta is grappling with growing memory expenses and supply chain shortages stemming from the artificial intelligence boom.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The proposal has ignited a partisan showdown, with Democrats arguing the military boost comes at the expense of healthcare and social safety nets, while Republicans defend it as necessary for national security.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Definition of expense

Phrases Containing charge

Browse Nearby Words

chares
charge
chargeable
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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Nglish: Translation of charge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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