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Definition of chargenext
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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
In 2022, during the Biden administration, federal prosecutors uncovered a scheme to defraud a pandemic meals program in Minnesota’s Somali community, leading to charges against dozens of defendants and a growing number of convictions. Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026 It had been used along with other charges to carry out mass executions in 1988 that reportedly killed at least 5,000 people. Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
Dual voltage charging cables for Level 1 and Level 2 are now included. Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026 In their charging documents, prosecutors allege Maduro, his wife and his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, engaged in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy and partnered with cartels designated as terrorist groups. Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
Noun
  • Santeiro, who was licensed to practice medicine between 1995 and 2022, was the medical director of Pacheco’s Florida Life Recovery during the time frame of the activity in her indictment, according to court and public records.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
  • For example, in the early 20th century, prosecutors resorted to pretextual indictments to go after the mob—the tax-evasion case against Al Capone being the most famous such prosecution.
    Aziz Huq, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Little Rock Air Force Base will remain in mission-essential status until Wednesday.
    Anne Li, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Like any superyacht, Lamima has the capacity to undertake unique missions on an hourly basis.
    Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • With a strong foundation of trust, CHWs help people understand medical instructions, keep appointments and address social stressors.
    Maggie Dante, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
  • One standout lesson taught younger students to think like engineers by writing clear, detailed instructions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The sweeps, in addition to crowd-management responsibilities, are typically dealt with by local police, who often have more experience and training in de-escalating large demonstrations and tamping down civil unrest.
    Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Glenn initially planned to keep Engstrand on staff while reducing his responsibilities, including stripping him of play-calling duties.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This is not just an alarming new attack that has caused chaos across the iWorld.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • One of the major ironies out of the Minnesota anti-ICE attack on a Baptist church last week is that former CNN host Don Lemon, one of the participants, is being investigated under the Ku Klux Klan Act.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There’s a reason why communities are increasingly pushing back against plans to build data centers; costs borne by the community far outweigh the benefits to the community.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
  • The bill includes incentives for schools to lower the cost of a degree and to ensure that graduates meet certain average income thresholds, a nudge to help students attain degrees in fields that offer enhanced opportunities.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • To truly Free the Land, Black and Indigenous people must be in ethical relationship to each other and support the radical demand of Indigenous stewardship.
    Gaby Iori January 27, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
  • My priority is to continue this strong fiscal stewardship while also working to ensure that state and federal funding per student is equitable with that of other high-performing districts.
    Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Moreover, the lower price point helps reduce churn, retaining users who might otherwise cancel as expenses increase.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
  • There are also several billion dollars worth of expenses and network operational efficiencies that should make this deal highly accretive to earnings per share.
    , CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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