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 success of Trump's domestic agenda for tax cuts and border security hangs in the balance.
    Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • The real task ahead is in smashing those silos: media, strategy, data and creative working as one from the jump.
    David Doty, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In December 2024, a U.S. Senate Committee report initiated by Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, said that at least two Amazon studies found a link between the speed at which the online retailer's warehouse workers are performing tasks and workplace injuries.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  • Each job brought a new environment with different obstacles and new problems to solve.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 29 June 2025
  • The letter said that the Senate’s version of the bill would cut more than $4 billion in Medicaid funding, with a loss of more than 16,000 jobs.
    Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 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
  • Facing a slew of position player injuries in April, the Twins acquired Bride after the Marlins designated him for assignment.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • An argument long debated in the courts is whether air conditioning goes beyond basic needs, since everyday citizens aren't guaranteed air conditioning in their homes.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
  • Those with insufficient insurance or none at all will rely heavily on FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, which supports survivors with needs like temporary housing and home repairs.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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