Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of duty are assignment, chore, job, stint, and task. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

When is it sensible to use assignment instead of duty?

In some situations, the words assignment and duty are roughly equivalent. However, assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

Where would chore be a reasonable alternative to duty?

The words chore and duty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When could job be used to replace duty?

The synonyms job and duty are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of duty?

The meanings of stint and duty largely overlap; however, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

When can task be used instead of duty?

Although the words task and duty have much in common, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

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 duty Vancouver doesn’t have key contributors Brian White, Jayden Nelson and Sebastian Berhalter due to Gold Cup international duty. Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 Any further vehicles sent to the U.S. will receive a 25% import duty. Chloe Taylor,jenni Reid, CNBC, 30 June 2025 Canada had escaped Trump's broad tariffs imposed in April but faces 50% duties on steel and aluminum. Reuters, USA Today, 30 June 2025 On top of her team duties, Mclean was a key advocate in the cheerleaders' fight for fair compensation — which ultimately paid off. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for duty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty
Noun
  • The tax cuts are a key factor in Wall Street’s forecasts for the economy and financial markets, predicting a boost that will help offset a drag from Trump’s tariffs.
    Ani Freedman, Fortune, 30 June 2025
  • The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores the extension of Trump tax cuts as adding to the deficit under a current-law baseline.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Rather than attempting to mimic human appearance, these arms are optimized for repetitive, high-accuracy tasks that are perfect for retail fulfillment.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
  • Unlike the predictable drawers that pull out, this style slides out to the side, so pulling out paper clips feels more like an event than a rudimentary task.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Redstone has borrowed heavily to meet debt obligations, including a $186-million term loan from Larry Ellison last year.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • What's, what are, what is a citizen's obligation now?
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • Epperson graduated from Berea High School and Ohio University and had jobs at WEWS and WUAB-TV around a 1966-69 tour with the U.S. Army.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2025
  • In the first episode of the series, it is revealed that 10 years ago, Gi-hun was laid off from an assembly job at Dragon Motor, a car manufacturing plant.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • For the generation currently between 13 and 28 years old, better known as Gen-Z, Trump’s policy bill represents a shift in retirement policy that places more responsibility on the individual.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • But the water that none of us can live without is everyday kindness and responsibility.
    Pico Iyer, Time, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • More Joe Sargent/Getty Images Barnhart was designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier this year and was later assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • With Cruz sidelined, the Yankees designated infielder CJ Alexander, a member of the 40-man roster, for assignment.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Breslow addressed three areas of need in starting pitching, bullpen help and another bat for the lineup.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • So does the rage that accompanies it, and the need to not just forget the past but the temptation to erase yourself from the present.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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