1
as in taxes
a charge usually of money collected by the government from people or businesses for public use
the shop at the airport charges no duty on tourist memorabilia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tasks
a piece of work that needs to be done regularly
the regular duties of a lifeguard
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in responsibilities
something one must do because of prior agreement
I must obey the call of duty and serve my country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 duties
The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.
—
John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Trump stated that this tariff will be added on top of existing import duties, ratcheting up the temperature of this latest trade war battle.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Pesi joined Boll on screenwriting duties on the two new installments and is also executive producing.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Yet Callahan had to hand off play-calling duties after dropping to 0-3 and the offense struggling.
—Teresa M. Walker, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
However, that hasn't been the case, and the team made the decision to relieve Callahan of his duties.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Jordan Marshall was responsible for rushing duties from that point on.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
If Patullo can’t figure it out soon, coach Nick Sirianni might have to consider stepping in and taking over play-calling duties.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Yurachek explained Higginbottom’s duties include knocking on doors to try to generate business’ interest in partnering with student-athletes.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Trump stated that this tariff will be added on top of existing import duties, ratcheting up the temperature of this latest trade war battle.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Pesi joined Boll on screenwriting duties on the two new installments and is also executive producing.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Yet Callahan had to hand off play-calling duties after dropping to 0-3 and the offense struggling.
—Teresa M. Walker, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
However, that hasn't been the case, and the team made the decision to relieve Callahan of his duties.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Jordan Marshall was responsible for rushing duties from that point on.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025
If Patullo can’t figure it out soon, coach Nick Sirianni might have to consider stepping in and taking over play-calling duties.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Yurachek explained Higginbottom’s duties include knocking on doors to try to generate business’ interest in partnering with student-athletes.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duties
Noun
-
This capability could be invaluable for aerospace maintenance and other precision tasks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Instead, they’re built for narrower, specialized tasks—and often shine in specific use cases.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The one piece that the Chiefs are arguably still missing is an explosive rusher at the running back position, where Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have split responsibilities to this point.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of waiting on Washington, Texas will now handle certain federal responsibilities, a model officials say can speed up infrastructure work while preserving key environmental safeguards.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Similarly, about three-fourths of DEA agents, a third of US deputy marshals, and nearly all Homeland Security Investigations agents have been diverted to work on immigration, according to ICE documents detailing assignments through the end of August that were first obtained by the Cato Institute.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Designers can create different rules — such as random seat assignments or priority access — to better balance efficiency and fairness for participants.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One key part of lessening this burden is creating an environment at home that promotes a fair distribution of tasks like scheduling appointments and keeping track of obligations.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 Oct. 2025
-
With potential regulatory fights to come, this is a potential boon and is a way of circumventing content quotas and other obligations that European countries want to establish.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All of which begs the question, can—and should—Europe use the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by decarbonization to reboot its own renewables supply chain, creating green jobs and sustainable wealth for the future?—
Andrew Saunders,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Council members celebrated the project as an investment in the city’s cultural growth that could bring jobs and tourism dollars.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To adjust the airflow, simply raise or lower the valve to suit your needs.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Between Green Bay to almost Oshkosh, there’s a number of Latino businesses just in that area and that’s an opportunity to get more involved with them, understand what the needs are there.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duties. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share