OFF-DUTY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

duty

noun

ˈdü-tē

Definition of duty

as in tax

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

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly the regular duties of a lifeguard

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in obligation

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

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 Those concerns deserve serious consideration because the legal profession occupies a unique role in society and lawyers owe duties to clients and courts that differ fundamentally from ordinary commercial obligations. — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 In addition, the new system eliminates a waiver process, while preserving exceptions for pregnancy, active-duty military service and official religious missions. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 July 2026 The feud between Prince William and Prince Harry exploded into public view in 2020, when Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties and moved to her home state of California. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 However, Belgium did their defensive duties and refused to allow what Senegal did to them in the round of 32 – a second-half miraculous comeback. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for duty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty

Noun

The existing tax, passed by voters in 2012 and extended in 2016, is set to expire in 2031.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In practice, governments still want contracts, jobs, and tax revenue at home.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of tax

Noun

The deployment aims to reduce the time required for general visual inspections while improving consistency across repetitive maintenance tasks.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Many who spoke with USA TODAY said the quest becomes an almost impossible task if the Pine Tree State remains in GOP hands.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026

Definition of task

Noun

Then, in 2012, redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the state and their obligations transferred to successor agencies.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Without a coordinated strategy, the cumulative risk can become significant even if each individual's obligation seems manageable.

— Blake Harris, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Last year’s grants paid for things like job skills training aimed at retaining nonprofit employees, specialized accounting services and a marketing program for thrift stores.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
The Dream, however, snapped back to finish the job and put themselves back in the win column for the first time since June 22.

— Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of job

Noun

In many cases, cars add stress, expense, and responsibility without many upsides for college students, especially those attending urban colleges and universities with readily accessible public transit.

— Chris Teague, AJC.com, 3 July 2026
Chuck Norris Throughout his life, Chuck Norris was associated with messages celebrating patriotism, faith and civic responsibility.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of responsibility

Noun

All of this spells the need for clear rules and for lawmakers and law enforcement to catch up with this rapidly changing transportation.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
But when Erik Spoelstra is strategizing, the needs of Nikola Jovic, for better or worse, are not going to be at the top of the organizational process.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

Definition of need

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“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of duty

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