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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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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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
Late last month, a grand jury indicted Lemon, Kelly, Allen, Armstrong, and five others allegedly involved in the occupation of Cities Church on conspiracy charges. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026 Two ex-cons from Tucson are facing intense online scrutiny in the Nancy Guthrie case despite authorities accusing neither of involvement — even after one was detained for hours in a SWAT raid and released without charges. —Michael Ruiz , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
Two men stood charged Sunday with robbing a 16-year-old boy on a CTA Red Line train on the city's South Side last week. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026 The Anker 737 Power Bank keeps multiple devices running and charging, from your phone to your noise-canceling headphones, without weighing down your bag. —Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 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
  • Beyond Song, the defendants are Autumn Hill (referred to as Cameron Arnold in the indictment), Zachary Evetts, Meagan Morris (referred to as Bradford Morris in the indictment), Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto, Savanna Batten and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated February 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The organ harvesting allegations haven’t been included in indictments issued by the court.
    — Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • Each mission can last up to 36 minutes, depending on payload and conditions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Feb. 2026
  • However, according to a draft of its charter, its mission has since expanded to address conflicts worldwide.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • One drugged and raped his own wife according to Pelicot’s instructions and offered her to Pelicot; another proposed his mother as a prospective victim.
    — Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Similar laws in Texas and Arkansas face federal court challenges as Republicans nationwide push to incorporate religious instruction into public schools.
    — Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • But the responsibility for the sewer line doesn’t rest with just one municipality.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Mayer took his responsibility as a steward for the Grateful Dead’s canon of timeless songs seriously.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Israel’s government has repeatedly criticized its counterpart in Australia for failing to address antisemitic attacks in the country.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • At least 77 people were killed in various attacks in Kordofan due to drone warfare in February.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Stepanova says the early 2025 rate change was implemented to recover costs associated with upgrades to safety and reliability upgrades to natural gas infrastructure, saying a portion of the update took effect in late 2024.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
  • But for many women, this decision can come at a huge cost.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • But in its fourth year, the Bahrain Turf Series — under the stewardship of Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa — has opened up an easy pathway for international horses to compete, especially from UK stables more accustomed to grass than dirt.
    — Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
  • But almost half that money was committed on or before April 1, 2023, under the stewardship of late chairman Peter Seidler.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • American farmers say an oversupply of eggs is forcing them to sell at rock-bottom rates, while expenses like packaging and shipping continue to climb.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The parents or hosts bearing a disproportionate share of the expense is not surprising, and should not be a cause of embarrassment as long as proper gratitude is expressed.
    — Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 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 24 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Nglish: Translation of charge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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