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

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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

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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

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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

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

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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

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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

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
So far, that has translated to about 40,000 new felony arrests statewide on drug or theft charges, many of them petty theft from repeat offenders, or repeat drug possession charges. — Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 Prosecutors will also decide on the next steps for the three hung jury verdicts, including whether to press ahead on the rape charges. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Verb
Thomas says that starting around 2015, there was a lot of bad whiskey being produced as the category grew in popularity and investors jumped onto the whiskey bandwagon, charging premium prices for sub-standard liquid. — Don Tse, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Sightseeing Sails are charged per person and run mostly during the day, with occasional sunset slots on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 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
  • On Friday, Pirro submitted a court filing moving to dismiss the indictment against David Hearn, a former Olympian who was charged earlier in the month for vandalizing the reflecting pool.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Katie Schwartzmann, legal counsel with the organization Protect Democracy, says more indictments against protesters could be coming.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • With a pretty 24-year-old brunette isolated in their quarantine quarters, Apollo 11’s astronauts Wednesday completed the 10-day task of discussing with experts the details of their moon-landing mission.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sammy Watkins is the director of chaplains and does outreach work for the mission.
    — Beret Leone, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Stop transmitting sleep devaluation, since the research indicates your team is reading your hours as instruction.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ryerson said the terrain itself can be as critical as instruction in helping beginners progress.
    — David Caraccio Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • His responsibilities included opening the facility, watching the children and handling most of the technology at the daycare, including the camera system.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • These are essential for executives to perform optimally when heavier responsibilities inevitably arrive, much like reinforcing a bridge before any cracks appear.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • On April 1, Shawnda Jackson, the girl's grandmother, said there had been six adult relatives at the house, where the girl lived with 11 relatives, when the attack happened.
    — Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • In addition to Medicare for All, his campaign centered on lowering prescription drug costs and banning corporate PAC money.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Even if a potential Skubal trade wouldn’t have cleaned out their farm system, any loss of quality minor leaguers would have a long-term cost in Tampa Bay that far exceeds any concerns in Los Angeles.
    — John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Under Kennedy’s stewardship, the HHS inverted the traditional food pyramid which placed grains at the bottom (most consumed) and fats and oils at the top (least consumed).
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • Through a transparent and accountable supply chain, brands can strengthen consumer trust, assured that their cotton is sourced from a program committed to continuous environmental stewardship and verifiable accountability.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • This somewhat surprised me given the general expense of things these days.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Operating expenses fell 2%, owing to lower restructuring costs.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 4 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 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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