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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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charge

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verb

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as in to ask
to set or receive as a price any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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

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
President Donald Trump has announced a 30% tariff for both the European Union (E.U.) and Mexico, with the charges set to come into effect on Aug. 1. Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 12 July 2025 Moore pleaded not guilty to the charges, while one of his co-defendants entered into a plea agreement for a misdemeanor charge and another co-defendant entered into a diversion agreement. Jacob Rosen july 12, CBS News, 12 July 2025
Verb
Sources also told Billboard that Smith was charged with a misdemeanor traffic offense of failure to yield resulting in a fatality, which underscores a lack of criminal intent. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 11 July 2025 The man who allegedly killed 18-year-old Morgan Hill resident Marissa DiNapoli has been charged with murder as new details emerge about the case, according to Santa Clara County court records. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
Noun
  • The handoff was coordinated by text and took place in a City Hall bathroom in June 2023, the federal indictment states.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • According to the 2023 federal indictment, Moore and his co-defendants faced up to 35 years in prison on charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to convert government property, and aiding and abetting those efforts.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • For Principal Nicole Sledge, the summit reflects th school’s larger mission.
    Essence, Essence, 14 July 2025
  • In April 1970, what began as NASA's third mission to land on the moon turned into a desperate fight for survival.
    Tal Frankfurt, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The first is do not send or accept wire instructions by email.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
  • Some sirens can broadcast specific instructions, which can help.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The season sees Wyle's Dr. Robby shoulder the brunt of responsibility as his ER endures a stressful day, capped off with a mass casualty event that sees resources stretched thin.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Data protection policy is typically owned by the chief information security officer (CISO), but the responsibility for migrating to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) extends far beyond the security department.
    Antonio Sanchez, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • But then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin repudiated the deal, saying a decision on the death penalty in an attack as grave as Sept. 11 should only be made by the defense secretary.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • The onslaught of attacks on transgender rights fueled Missouri lawmakers to enact a law in 2023 that banned gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries, for minors.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • In an interview, Missouri State senior associate athletic director Casey Hunt made no bones about the fact that the stunt/A&T twofer was a gender-equity play, noting the relatively low cost and high roster capacity of both sports, especially post-House.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
  • Shriners Hospitals for Children have also alleviated the financial burden on the Petersons by covering the costs of Hadley's medical procedures, some of which would normally cost tens of thousands of dollars.
    Analisa Novak, CBS News, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Clear desk enforcement helped the firm reduce data exposure and created a culture of information stewardship.
    Bojan Ilic, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Tad underscores the importance of treating water stewardship as a generational responsibility — pointing out that lakes can degrade over time if not carefully managed.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege that Measures used that money, which was held in an escrow account for clients, to pay for personal and operating expenses, pay off creditors, Four Seasons spa treatments, clothing, car payments and at least $55,000 for Los Angeles Crypto Arena seats.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
  • Funds become accessible at 18 for qualified expenses, with broader withdrawal options phased in over time.
    James Broughel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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