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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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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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

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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
Students and alumni have publicly questioned whether the Ivy League School, police and prosecutors did enough to investigate, pursue criminal charges and punish the students accused of the assault. — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office had not yet filed criminal charges, police said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
Years before, Curtin was charged with two misdemeanors after allegedly being found with drugs in her vehicle. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Avin Seetaram, 27, of Margate, and two other Broward County men were charged in 2023 in connection with the death of Suren Seetal, 36, who lived in Miami-Dade County, federal prosecutors said. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 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
  • According to the indictment, the fraudulent tax returns were filed from 2023 to 2025.
    — Logan Smith, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • In Ohio, prosecutors secured indictments against nine people for voting as noncitizens over the span of 10 years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • The next mission, Artemis IV, is slated for no sooner than 2028 and would have astronauts landing on the moon in either Blue Moon or Starship, whichever is ready first.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • One point that makes this mission of special importance is the sheer scale of the vehicle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • According to Dutch News, neither officials in Curaçao nor the Dutch government have said where the instruction originated.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • However, considering the nature of the investigation and Chen’s access to children through his music instruction, sheriff’s officials said investigators want to ensure no inappropriate contact with a child has gone unreported.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • And as these doors open to the general public, the scientific community has a responsibility to develop clear standards for what makes up a medically reliable genome in the first place.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The central point is that responsibility for AI’s effects rests with the people and institutions that develop, deploy, and rely on it.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Avila said the attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • His comments came days after the army chiefs of Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh to discuss responses to Houthi attacks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Rising costs and a housing shortage are pricing many Spaniards out of the housing market, despite strong economic growth in Europe's fourth-largest economy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Minneapolis officials estimated the crackdown’s economic cost at nearly $700 million.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • More form than function, police work’s stewardship of capitalism exists largely in the tactical imagination.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Rage is not a worthwhile substitute for smart, prescient and responsible stewardship of an absolutely necessary ingredient of modern life.
    — Rick Nicita, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Mercury opposes Chiron across your personal and shared resource zones, making questions about expenses, debt, or contributions feel more personal than the numbers suggest.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Though, oftentimes financial expense isn’t even part of the equation.
    — Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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