charge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chargenext
1
as in indictment
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person charges of burglary and armed robbery that have yet to be proved

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mission
a specific task with which a person or group is charged your charge is to keep everyone else organized and busy

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3
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned we've received an official charge about how to handle the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in responsibility
something one must do because of prior agreement the first charge of our armed forces is to defend this country against enemy attack

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5
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the famously disastrous charge led by General George Pickett at Gettysburg

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in cost
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something the charge for the book will be five dollars

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7
as in stewardship
the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control was given charge of the business during the owner's absence

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8
as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the charges mounted at a dizzying pace as the building project went way over budget

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9
as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings the slopes at this resort aren't particularly challenging and aren't likely to give expert skiers much of a charge

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10
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something he inherited charge of the Paris bureau after his supervisor quit

Synonyms & Similar Words

charge

2 of 2

verb

ˈchärj How to pronounce charge (audio)
1
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

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2
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty charges a restocking fee for returned merchandise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to task
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to we're charging you with the care of your little sister while we're gone for the evening

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4
as in to order
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority charged the soldier to keep watch over the prisoner

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5
as in to accuse
to make a claim of wrongdoing against he has not yet been charged with any crime

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6
as in to fill
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained charge a blast furnace with iron ore

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7
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

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8
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of the players are going into this game still charged from their upset victory the week before

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb charge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

When is bid a more appropriate choice than charge?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

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

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 do direct and instruct relate to one another, in the sense of charge?

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 would enjoin be a good substitute for charge?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

In what contexts can order take the place of charge?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, 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 charge
Noun
Earlier in the week, the sheriff’s department conducted a similar operation, briefly detaining a person of interest — later revealed as a deliveryman named Carlos — before ultimately releasing him without charges hours later. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2026 That case was referred to the Arizona attorney general's office, but no charges were ever brought. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
After 1993, he was also charged in Missouri with stealing, disturbing the peace and driving without a license. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026 The technical was charged to the Wolfpack’s Darrion Williams for kicking Donaldson in a loose-ball scrum. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
  1. indictment
  2. mission
  3. instruction
  4. responsibility
  5. attack
  6. cost
  7. stewardship
  8. expense
Noun
  • In October, authorities filed a superseding indictment against 21-year-old Baron Cain Martin of Arizona, accusing him of membership in 764 and other groups and exploiting children – including a 13-year-old girl who carved swastikas into her body at his direction.
    — Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday, law enforcement officers arrested 23 of the 37 defendants against whom prosecutors had built cases and obtained indictments.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • So our mission, moving forward, will be to compare them with each other.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Why pigeons can outperform drones in some missions The startup argued that pigeons offer practical advantages over conventional drones in specific environments.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Beerman will also offer replacement parts and instructions directly for repair if the user doesn’t want to send back the camera for repair and is able to do it themself.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The retrial instructions to the jury indicate that Alkayyali also testified at the retrial.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • In recent years, as climate change has fueled more intense events, from flooding to wildfires, the federal government has assumed a greater financial responsibility for natural disaster recovery.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Warren's dojo provided a structured environment, teaching students responsibility and restraint alongside martial arts.
    — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.
    — Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • During warmer months, when the path is crowded with tourists in leisure mode, anyone who walks with a purpose should avoid the Bridge at all costs.
    — Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • For electricity, that means expanding dispatchable generation, especially natural gas, strengthening the grid, streamlining permitting, and ensuring reliability is prioritized over mandates that raise costs or weaken supply.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • The company’s forestry arm has planted more than one billion trees, underscoring a scale of stewardship rarely matched in private ownership.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Esteemed Venus is strolling into your 2nd House of Satisfaction, supporting thoughtful choices that align with your independent values and strengthen confidence through stewardship.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Instead, the utility will be allowed to spread the expense recovery over an entire hunk of the Midwest.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Alphabet also said its research and development expenses went up by 42%, driven by compensation for AI talent and supporting Waymo.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of expense

Phrases Containing charge

Browse Nearby Words

chares
charge
chargeable
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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Nglish: Translation of charge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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