1
as in taxes
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
2
as in tasks
a piece of work that needs to be done regularly
the regular duties of a lifeguard
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in responsibilities
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of duties
Fire engineers are typically responsible for maintaining fire engines and other equipment, driving fire engines, and connecting hoses to hydrants and other water sources, in addition to standard firefighter duties.
—
Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Away from tarmac, the CX-5 is capable enough for light off-road duties.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Over the years, her duties expanded.
—Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The court applied a three-year limit to claims involving charitable trust duties and a two-year limit to claims involving unjust enrichment.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
That is until the pair were eventually corralled into mandatory media duties.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Harry and Meghan, who married in 2018, have lived in California since stepping back from their senior royal duties in 2020.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Quince actually breaks down the price for each item on its site, revealing the cost for materials, packaging, freight and handling, duties, taxes and other fees.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Madix took over hosting duties for Season 2 in 2025, with Maura Higgins also joining as host of Aftersun.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Away from tarmac, the CX-5 is capable enough for light off-road duties.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Over the years, her duties expanded.
—Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The court applied a three-year limit to claims involving charitable trust duties and a two-year limit to claims involving unjust enrichment.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
That is until the pair were eventually corralled into mandatory media duties.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Harry and Meghan, who married in 2018, have lived in California since stepping back from their senior royal duties in 2020.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
Quince actually breaks down the price for each item on its site, revealing the cost for materials, packaging, freight and handling, duties, taxes and other fees.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Madix took over hosting duties for Season 2 in 2025, with Maura Higgins also joining as host of Aftersun.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duties
Noun
-
Having seen it on TV before, with its repetitive visuals—every athlete in black spandex, performing the same tasks with minute variations—this seemed dubious.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
That meant that Baker & Taylor took on some of these tasks, helping to speed up the process and freeing staff members to do other work.—
Adeel Hassan,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Rather than romanticizing the awards-season whirlwind, Coon described the logistical reality behind it that includes 18-hour days, early-morning events, parenting responsibilities and the invisible labor required to sustain a performing career.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Sandweg said one of the director's most underappreciated responsibilities is managing that internal fault line, ensuring that ERO's highly visible arrest operations do not undermine HSI's ability to cultivate the confidential informants and foreign partnerships on which its work depends.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Reuters — The Republican speaker of Tennessee’s House of Representatives on Tuesday stripped Democratic lawmakers of all committee assignments as punishment for their role in boisterous protests during last week’s special session on redistricting.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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Furthermore, per the committee’s findings, the mandatory DEI training inundated the department’s criminal investigations wing with group meetings, assignments, and other onerous tasks that took time away from actual fraud investigations.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Guests with work obligations, caregiving responsibilities or health considerations may not be able to fully disconnect, and most properties offer at least limited emergency communication options.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
The Beatles only made three more films, largely to satisfy contractual obligations.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
One candidate ran as a fervent booster, arguing that Atlantic Yards would bring jobs and housing to the area.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
These titles often glorify overwork and set unrealistic expectations from day one, contributing to the kind of stress that causes people to resign and look for low-stress jobs in the first place.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Mental-health support is often discussed in broad terms, but meaningful progress happens when care is local, comprehensive and responsive to the unique needs of individuals and families.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Arrests and citations do nothing to address these needs.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duties. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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