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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
Prosecutor Justin Griffis, however, stated that the severity of the murder and witness tampering charges against Melly should keep him in jail pending the outcome of his cases. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025 The charges are tied to a $7,000 kickback scheme Fernandes Anderson carried out at City Hall in June 2023, per the indictment. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
Verb
The Lobby Boyz member revealed that he was not charged in the shooting, despite it not being deemed self-defense. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 12 May 2025 Pay your whole premium upfront: Most companies charge a fee for dividing your premium into monthly payments. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
Noun
  • The indictment says an off-duty law enforcement officer tipped Lam on Sept. 18 that authorities were on their way to arrest Lam at his Miami rental home.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 May 2025
  • Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest and ensuing indictment has escalated a clash between President Trump’s administration and local authorities over the Republican’s sweeping immigration crackdown.
    Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • As North America’s widest-reaching all-women wrestling organization, WOW blends elite athleticism with dramatic storytelling, all with a mission to empower, inspire and elevate women and fans worldwide.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 16 May 2025
  • Their mission is to store and process data generated on Earth or by other satellites.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Murphy brought the jury back into the courtroom and read them the Allen charge, a set of instructions given to a jury that believe it’s deadlocked.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
  • Follow a healthcare provider's recommendations or label instructions when taking matcha.
    Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Your routines, responsibilities, employment or health could have all budded happily.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • The pain of loss and the pain of (some) responsibility for ending a Cup run must be overwhelming.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Alexander, who was captured by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks, was handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis on Monday as part of efforts to re-establish ceasefire talks.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Nissan unveiled sweeping new cost cuts on Tuesday, saying the measure would reduce global workforce by 15% and lead to the closure of seven vehicle plants.
    Daniel Leussink, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • By lowering costs and increasing access to AI, the DeepSeek advance could increase demand for the technology, propelling the industry and markets to greater heights.
    Chris Perry, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Under the devoted stewardship of generations of visionary winemakers, Rioja has become one of the world’s top five wine regions alongside Bordeaux, Burgundy, Napa Valley, and Tuscany.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
  • Under his stewardship, the Smithsonian has done what America must continue to do—confront the contradictions in our founding, illuminate the fault lines in our systems, and still hold space for grace, for grit, for growth, for greatness.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Archway Homes will buy the home and make the repairs needed, relieving the sellers of the hassle and expense.
    Archway Homes, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
  • Earlier this year, after failing to meet its own October deadline for the rebate’s relaunch, the government passed a measure allowing producers to claim expenses accrued in the final months of 2024 and the start of 2025.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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