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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Shaban, who had several weeks to prepare for his confirmation hearing, seemed stunningly ignorant of the basic elements of an arrest, prosecution, and resolution of criminal charges in Connecticut. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 Claustro pleaded guilty in January to a federal charge of fraud and resigned from the bench. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
In addition to penalties, the IRS charges interest on unpaid taxes from the date the payment was originally due, and the interest compounds. —Kat Tretina, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026 The rope from outside was wrapped in duct tape, packed with pieces of paper covered in synthetic cannabis, more than 100 strips of buprenorphine, about 27 bags of marijuana, wrapping paper, more than 400 cigarettes, two lighters, a scalpel and a cellphone charging cord and plug. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 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
  • While Bingham was the CEO, Joseph’s involvement in the company was hidden from investors as he was convicted of a separate federal wire fraud case in South Florida in early 2020, the indictment said.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But the drop in shot attempts is most glaring — and the most damning indictment of Brown’s new offense.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • An administrative review is underway to assess the mission and verify compliance with regulations and airspace requirements.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • At my direction, Kim expanded HCPF's mission to save Coloradans money on health care.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • The MorphoScan scale comes with an instruction manual and a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, but no wall brick.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Gardeners should carefully read and follow label instructions and avoid applying treatments when pollinators are most active.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • All federal, state and/or local income and other taxes, if any, are the winner’s sole responsibility.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Greene says that responsibility belongs to local police departments.
    — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials are seeking help from the public in locating a pair of dogs that were recently involved in an attack on a wild burro, part of a series of attacks on the creatures dating back to late 2025.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • His two-run single helped Andrew go up 5-0 after the first, and his versatility is a key component of the Thunderbolts’ attack.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Some of Miranda’s constituents are still fighting the city’s stadium plan, including its cost to taxpayers, which grew again in February to $135 million.
    — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • According to WebMD, the average cost of a single DEXA scan paid out of pocket is roughly $160 to $175, but other sites put the average closer to $300 per scan.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Naturalists and marine biologists regularly survey the island’s flora and fauna, as well as coral health and water quality, while a sustainability manager assesses how to strengthen long-term environmental stewardship across the property.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In 2009, the La Jolla Historical Society assumed stewardship of the event.
    — Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Graves said higher labor, energy, and regulatory costs all contribute to higher production expenses that are ultimately passed on to drivers.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • An online fundraiser was created Wednesday to benefit Rodriguez’s family and pay her funeral expenses.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 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 5 Apr. 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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