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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Snelling faces up to 10 years in prison on the most serious charge of manslaughter. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026 Brian Hickerson dated Panettiere on and off since 2018; he was arrested several times in the subsequent years for domestic abuse and, at one point, pleaded no contest to two felony charges related to an assault against Panettiere. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
But secret grand jury proceedings would have to happen before he’s charged. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 With its 25-watt speed, this adapter can charge modern smartphones from 0 percent to 50 percent in roughly 30 minutes. — Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 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
  • The indictment also notes, as Sportico previously reported, Colvin’s extensive trail of civil litigation.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The government also failed to get a felony indictment against Sean Dunn, the man who threw a Subway sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent during a surge in immigration enforcement.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • Over the course of its five-year mission, the Roman telescope will capture images of the Milky Way, survey the entire sky and observe supernova explosions that occurred as far as 8 billion years ago.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Boxer can support amphibious operations and aviation missions from its expansive flight deck.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Teachers and middle and high schoolers will get a mix of online and in-person instruction on how AI tools work and how to use them effectively.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Students’ absences have been excused during the closure, but families also have had the option of alternative instruction at a site on the Jacksonville High School campus.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • But when a traumatic drunken night resurfaces, Júlía must confront shame, family responsibilities and the courage to tell her own story, reads the logline.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Russian officials have denied responsibility for all such incursions.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Detectives charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the vicious attack that killed his mother, 57-year-old Josefa Soto de Guzman, on Friday.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Just like Ejva, who suddenly needs to learn how to protect the herd and make her family proud, even when a violent attack leaves her struggling.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The cost of powering homes is also up, with electricity and piped gas both costing around 4% more annually.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • This points to global streaming services nearing a precipice for cost increases, as the proliferation of services available and a general caution around spending mean consumers are becoming less likely to accept higher and higher demands.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Governance capacity – the ability to oversee financial stewardship, evaluate organizational risk, and align strategic priorities – is a distinct skillset.
    — Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats face fundraising disadvantages compared with Republicans, along with financial debt, and Martin has confronted criticism over his stewardship of the party.
    — Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • For now, the Coalition for Prediction Markets is spending a fraction of Kalshi’s direct lobbying expenses.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Offer an upbeat alternative that costs less, and track the expense so freedom still feels available.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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