bid 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bidnext
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something a dramatic film that is widely regarded as the comedian's last-ditch bid to be taken seriously as an actor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bid

2 of 2

verb

ˈbid How to pronounce bid (audio)
1
as in to order
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority the servants were expected to do exactly as they were bidden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to invite
to request the presence or participation of as company president, I bid you all to come to our annual holiday party!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb bid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bid are charge, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How do charge and enjoin relate to one another, in the sense of bid?

Charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of bid?

Both command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality; command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

How does the word direct relate to its synonym instruct, in the sense of bid?

Direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls
the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

When can enjoin be used instead of bid?

While the synonyms enjoin and bid are close in meaning, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

When might order be a better fit than bid?

The words order and bid can be used in similar contexts, but order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about like slaves

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 bid
Noun
Ryan Bos, who has been executive director of DC’s Capital Pride Alliance since 2011, was thrilled when the group’s bid to host WorldPride was accepted in 2022. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 6 June 2025 By the time their expansion bid was selected in October 2023, the WNBA had not added an expansion team in 15 years. —Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
The fans cheered, laughed and opened their wallets to bid on exclusive experiences, with the proceeds going to the children’s hospital. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025 Andrey Santos could also be part of Chelsea’s squad in the States, having bid farewell to their French sister club Strasbourg via an Instagram post on May 19. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bid
  1. attempt
  2. order
  3. invite
  4. try
  5. instruct
  6. ask
  7. tell
Noun
  • Violence against public officials has been increasing in recent years, including the two recent assassination attempts in 2024 against President Donald Trump.
    — Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 16 June 2025
  • And last summer, President Trump, who has often been criticized for stoking the intense emotions that can lead to political violence in the first place, survived an assassination attempt that left his ear bloodied and killed a person in the crowd.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 16 June 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • The last time a president called in the National Guard without a governor’s cooperation was in 1965, when Lyndon B. Johnson ordered troops to protect civil rights demonstrators in Alabama.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
  • Helen's Tomato Pie Senior Digital News Editor Rebecca Baer heads to one of downtown Birmingham’s most popular restaurants, Helen, each summer to order their beloved Tomato Pie.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • Then sit down and write a publicity memo, listing audiences that might be interested in the book, groups that might invite you to talk, media shows that seem to be interested in your subject.
    — Thomas E. Ricks June 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
  • This tale invites us to reflect on the nature of giving, taking and the balance of relationships.
    — Nitin Rakesh, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of invite
Noun
  • For a lighter, fresher take, give this Pizza Salad a try.
    — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2025
  • Devers eventually agreed to be the DH but then played a game of punitive gotcha with management by refusing to grab a glove and give first base a try after Triston Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon and was lost for the season.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Definition of try
Verb
  • Key Background Congress approved topline spending goals earlier this year to enact Trump’s agenda, instructing relevant committees in the House and Senate to write policy legislation in line with the new figures.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Another common homeowner boundary issue arises when homeowners instruct HOA vendors, which is the manager’s role.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
Definition of instruct
Verb
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asked.
    — Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
  • But some Colombians have also asked the president to tone down his rhetoric against opposition leaders.
    — Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • Her aunt would often call Valdes’ mom from Florida, telling her their family would be safer here.
    — Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Definition of tell

Phrases Containing bid

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bicycles
bid
biddability
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Cite this Entry

“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of bid for Spanish Speakers

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