Synonyms of charge

charge 1 of 2

noun

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

• indictment
• count
• allegation
• accusation
• complaint
• rap
• plea
• impeachment
• countercharge
• arraignment
• condemnation
• crimination
• insinuation
• censure
• denunciation
• imputation
• counteraccusation
• incrimination
• innuendo
• implication
• recrimination

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

• mission
• job
• assignment
• duty
• responsibility
• operation
• requirement
• post
• obligation
• brief
• business
• detail
• office
• burden
• need
• work
• promise
• commitment
• labor
• commission
• errand
• chore
• appointment
• pledge
• designation
• nomination
• restraint
• compulsion
• constraint

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instruction
• order
• direction
• do
• edict
• directive
• injunction
• commandment
• command
• requirement
• imperative
• behest
• decree
• dictate
• demand
• word
• mandate
• law
• rule
• regulation
• prescription
• statute
• ordinance
• precept
• counterorder
• countermand
• prescript

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appeal
• petition
• plea
• proposal
• recommendation
• suggestion
• entreaty
• urging

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• responsibility
• obligation
• duty
• need
• promise
• burden
• commitment
• vow
• office
• requirement
• pledge
• constraint
• do
• imperative
• payment
• incumbency
• devoir
• pact
• arrangement
• contract
• oath
• setup
• must
• debt
• tribute
• compulsion
• trust
• reservation
• word
• prearrangement
• compact
• restraint
• force
• coercion
• covenant
• appointment
• duress
• engagement
• troth
• onus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• relief
• stay
• release
• grace
• exemption
• waiver
• ease
• postponement
• choice
• option
• selection
• alternative
• preference
• loophole
• pick

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• assault
• raid
• offense
• offensive
• onslaught
• attempt
• strike
• aggression
• rush
• bombardment
• onset
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• coup de main
• counterattack
• invasion
• barrage
• incursion
• ambush
• bombing
• descent
• siege
• breakthrough
• sack
• ambuscade
• air raid
• foray
• sortie
• volley
• counteraggression
• pillage
• counteroffensive
• counterassault
• envelopment
• sally
• counterstrike
• flanking
• hail
• fusillade
• storm
• salvo
• cannonade
• ravage
• whammy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defense
• resistance
• guard
• opposition
• shield
• protection
• security
• defensive
• shelter

6

as in cost

the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something

the charge for the book will be five dollars

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cost
• price
• fee
• rate
• freight
• damage
• price tag
• ante
• bill
• value
• figure
• sale
• market value
• tariff
• valuation
• discount
• surcharge
• reduction
• list price
• service charge
• overcharge
• unit price
• deduction
• deposit
• fair market value
• invoice
• sticker price
• price point
• down payment
• asking price
• carrying charge
• check
• tab
• account
• markdown

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stewardship
• supervision
• oversight
• management
• control
• leadership
• policing
• regulation
• care
• guidance
• superintendence
• surveillance
• administration
• monitoring
• government
• superintendency
• direction
• headship
• observation
• running
• observing
• steering
• protection
• observance
• rule
• auspices
• generalship
• piloting
• guardianship
• shepherding
• reign
• hand(s)
• trusteeship
• tutelage
• aegis

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expense
• cost
• expenditure
• outlay
• price
• rate
• disbursement
• overhead
• outgo
• tariff
• outflow
• toll
• pocket money
• spending money
• tab

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thrill
• kick
• boot
• rush
• exhilaration
• frisson
• bang
• titillation
• enjoyment
• jollies
• shock
• wallop
• intoxication
• high
• electrification
• entertainment
• pleasure
• lift
• joy
• surprise
• arousal
• jolt
• amusement
• diversion
• treat
• delight
• buzz
• fun
• delectation

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

• management
• handling
• supervision
• control
• administration
• operation
• direction
• oversight
• government
• stewardship
• governance
• conduct
• regulation
• running
• presidency
• leadership
• guidance
• superintendence
• care
• custody
• superintendency
• intendance
• agency
• protection
• logistics
• manipulation
• safekeeping
• guardianship
• engineering
• ward
• lap
• generalship
• keeping
• trust
• tutelage
• rulership
• aegis
• codirection
• machination
• comanagement
• coadministration

charge

2 of 2

verb

ˈchärj 

1

as in to ask

to set or receive as a price

any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ask
• demand
• bring
• price
• fetch
• command
• sell (for)
• overcharge
• discount
• undercharge
• assess
• bill
• mark up
• value
• invoice
• mark down

2

as in to impose

to establish or apply as a charge or penalty

charges a restocking fee for returned merchandise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impose
• levy
• fine
• put
• assess
• exact
• lay
• tax
• dock
• force
• penalize
• extort
• excise
• compel
• inflict
• gouge
• coerce
• skin
• milk
• shake down
• wreak
• squeeze
• wrest
• wring
• mulct
• bleed
• relay
• set
• fleece
• reapply
• reimpose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remit
• diminish
• release
• lessen
• forgive
• abate
• ignore
• excuse
• disregard
• pardon
• condone
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• task
• entrust
• trust
• assign
• impose
• commission
• recommend
• commit
• confer
• delegate
• authorize
• allocate
• empower
• consign
• relegate
• allot
• confide
• repose
• invest

4

as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority

charged the soldier to keep watch over the prisoner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• order
• instruct
• tell
• ask
• command
• direct
• bid
• boss (around)
• beg
• advise
• enjoin
• request
• warn
• adjure
• require
• force
• appoint
• petition
• authorize
• counsel
• control
• supervise
• compel
• lead
• conduct
• assign
• manage
• oversee
• commission
• beseech
• coerce
• oblige
• entreat
• constrain
• superintend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mind
• keep
• obey
• follow
• comply (with)
• observe

5

as in to accuse

to make a claim of wrongdoing against

he has not yet been charged with any crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accuse
• indict
• blame
• prosecute
• sue
• incriminate
• impeach
• criminate
• criticize
• call (on)
• defame
• fault
• tax
• appeal
• try
• book
• censure
• impugn
• summon
• denounce
• condemn
• chide
• arraign
• report
• cite
• reproach
• implicate
• rebuke
• damn
• inform (against)
• castigate
• retaliate
• reprove
• inculpate
• name
• reprobate
• recriminate
• frame

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exonerate
• acquit
• defend
• absolve
• vindicate
• clear
• advocate
• justify
• exculpate
• excuse
• forgive
• remit
• pardon
• champion
• shrive

6

as in to fill

to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained

charge a blast furnace with iron ore

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fill
• pack
• load
• stuff
• cram
• heap
• refill
• brim
• jam
• flood
• bulk
• jam-pack
• replenish
• swamp
• overcharge
• shove
• glut
• drench
• bloat
• reload
• penetrate
• mat
• saturate
• squeeze
• refresh
• crowd
• repack
• squash
• ram
• overflow
• press
• overfill
• crush
• honeycomb

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vacate
• eliminate
• clear
• void
• empty
• evacuate
• drain
• lighten
• draw (off)
• exhaust
• clean
• sweep
• bleed
• deplete
• purge
• flush
• scour

7

as in to assault

to take sudden, violent action against

plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assault
• attack
• raid
• storm
• strike
• ambush
• set at
• rob
• set upon
• set on
• turn (on)
• rush
• descend (on or upon)
• invade
• fly at
• pounce (on or upon)
• assail
• swarm
• round on
• tear into
• jump (on)
• beset
• pitch into
• sic
• trash
• go in (on)
• beat up on
• bushwhack
• sack
• surprise
• mob
• go at
• light into
• flank
• barrage
• bomb
• besiege
• waylay
• plunder
• mug
• blitz
• gang up (on)
• nuke
• bombard
• buffet
• cannon
• batter
• ravage
• loot
• bum-rush
• pillage
• overrun
• harry
• foray
• ambuscade
• plaster
• bang away (at)
• press
• envelop
• cannonade
• beleaguer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• cover
• secure
• defend
• guard
• shield

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

• thrill
• electrify
• excite
• delight
• galvanize
• pump up
• turn on
• inspire
• intrigue
• titillate
• intoxicate
• provoke
• stimulate
• interest
• incite
• hypnotize
• arouse
• exhilarate
• charm
• rivet
• captivate
• enchant
• mesmerize
• bewitch
• tantalize
• spellbind
• enthrall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• discourage
• demoralize
• jade
• dishearten
• deject
• dispirit

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

Recent Examples of charge

Noun

Woods, meanwhile, has been out of the country seeking treatment amid his DUI charge after obtaining permission to travel from a Florida judge. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Yet John couldn’t help taking it seriously enough to try to argue against Fuentes, in the hopes of defending himself against the charge of being out of shape. —Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 6 June 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

Phrases Containing charge

• get a charge out of
• in charge