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
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Recent Examples of duties
However, that run would prove brief, with Staubach claiming starting duties for good upon his return.
—
Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Quince actually breaks down the price for each item on its site, revealing the cost for materials, packaging, freight and handling, duties, taxes and other fees.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Trump imposed the duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which had never previously been invoked.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Madix took over hosting duties for Season 2 in 2025, with Maura Higgins also joining as host of Aftersun.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 2026
That means companies are no longer covering the tariff cost by paying duties at the border, but have now fully transferred those costs to the public in the form of higher prices for goods and services.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Defense lawyers for Høiby, who has no royal titles or official duties, said that there was no evidence to support the rape charges.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
He has been removed from his professional duties, and an internal investigation has begun.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Yet the constituencies and their causes, loyalties and duties remain as relevant as today’s headlines.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Quince actually breaks down the price for each item on its site, revealing the cost for materials, packaging, freight and handling, duties, taxes and other fees.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Trump imposed the duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which had never previously been invoked.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Madix took over hosting duties for Season 2 in 2025, with Maura Higgins also joining as host of Aftersun.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 2026
That means companies are no longer covering the tariff cost by paying duties at the border, but have now fully transferred those costs to the public in the form of higher prices for goods and services.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Defense lawyers for Høiby, who has no royal titles or official duties, said that there was no evidence to support the rape charges.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
He has been removed from his professional duties, and an internal investigation has begun.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
Yet the constituencies and their causes, loyalties and duties remain as relevant as today’s headlines.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duties
Noun
-
Having seen it on TV before, with its repetitive visuals—every athlete in black spandex, performing the same tasks with minute variations—this seemed dubious.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
That meant that Baker & Taylor took on some of these tasks, helping to speed up the process and freeing staff members to do other work.—
Adeel Hassan,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Greater pessimism Young people, with fewer physical limitations and family responsibilities — along with an ability to adapt more quickly than older counterparts — normally are more optimistic about their ability to land work.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Young people, with fewer physical limitations and family responsibilities — along with an ability to adapt more quickly than older counterparts — normally are more optimistic about their ability to land work.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Reuters — The Republican speaker of Tennessee’s House of Representatives on Tuesday stripped Democratic lawmakers of all committee assignments as punishment for their role in boisterous protests during last week’s special session on redistricting.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
Furthermore, per the committee’s findings, the mandatory DEI training inundated the department’s criminal investigations wing with group meetings, assignments, and other onerous tasks that took time away from actual fraud investigations.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Guests with work obligations, caregiving responsibilities or health considerations may not be able to fully disconnect, and most properties offer at least limited emergency communication options.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
One candidate ran as a fervent booster, arguing that Atlantic Yards would bring jobs and housing to the area.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
These titles often glorify overwork and set unrealistic expectations from day one, contributing to the kind of stress that causes people to resign and look for low-stress jobs in the first place.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Mental-health support is often discussed in broad terms, but meaningful progress happens when care is local, comprehensive and responsive to the unique needs of individuals and families.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Arrests and citations do nothing to address these needs.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duties. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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