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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
The District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and declined to file criminal charges. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026 The year before Stand Your Ground became law, the prosecutor’s office declined charges in 24 cases. Ben Wheeler may 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Verb
Hared was initially charged with second-degree intentional murder. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026 The suspect accused of killing three elderly men in Hawaii has been charged with murder, along with almost a dozen criminal offenses, authorities announced on Sunday. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
Noun
  • Even before his conviction, his 2024 indictment spooked the industry and led some short sellers to beef up legal disclaimers.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
  • His attorney, Mike Howard, said after the indictment that the defense believes prosecutors will be unable to eliminate reasonable doubt about whether Anthony acted to protect himself during the encounter.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Carrying forward the philanthropic aspect of the partnership, $1 from every purchase in the Pride Collection will support EJAF’s mission to help end AIDS and combat LGBTQIA+ stigma around the world.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
  • Hence, sharing complex mission data or receiving new instructions forces the drones to halt operations and swim all the way back to the surface.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Both clubs also have youth academies aiming to offer affordable instruction to younger players.
    PJ Green May 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
  • Where needed, eriophyid mites can be controlled with horticultural oil, neem oil or miticide sprays following label instructions.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • People see you as sensible and ready to assume the responsibilities of the position.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
  • And every morning, thousands of CPS educators walk into those same buildings carrying an enormous responsibility that too often goes unrecognized.
    Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • The first-half diagnosis The strangest part of San Diego’s sophomore season is that the attack has not collapsed.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Removing barriers for non-traditional students like prohibitive costs or complicated admissions and financial aid processes is one way to improve access, said Lane, who helps create the commission’s enrollment reports.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • Industry groups warned that capping emissions too much and too quickly would push refineries out of the state and drive up already soaring energy costs.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Environmental stewardship of the 350,000-acre Grumeti Reserve has amplified viable habitat for Serengeti’s wildlife and nurtured population recoveries of species like elephant and buffalo.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • As for Wrangler’s footwear offering, Higgins is excited for the brand’s first product under the stewardship of Genesco Brands Group to hit stores this fall.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • If that appeals to you, hop aboard the complimentary shuttle and go to town—guests at the Ocean Club can charge expenses at Atlantis right to their room.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026
  • Another potential funding source cited in the proposal is starting to use grants and penalty funds obtained by the city attorney’s office to cover general fund expenses.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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