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 next

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 Colon faces a misdemeanor charge of duty on striking a structure/fixture, according to police. —

Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026 Melanie Ayala, an off-duty Brooklyn EMT, rushed from her place in the crowd to help the man after realizing that there didn't appear to be any medical staff on hand. —

Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 The ice machine is ready for extra duty at Lankenau Medical Center, where the emergency department is expecting to see a growing number of patients with heat illnesses. —

Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Investigators say he was initially confronted by an off-duty police officer who was working at the church. —

Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 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

Traditional studios might adopt Chinese models for some preproduction tasks such as concepting, but the geopolitical and intellectual property risks for commercial generations are too prohibitive.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Robots sound safer The wearable audio system converts nearby robot movements into dynamic warning sounds, helping workers anticipate robotic actions without interrupting their tasks.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026

Definition of task

Noun

Leaders who want durable AI revenue need to treat commercial clarity as an obligation before the market turns confusion into precedent.

— Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Taking time to understand the legal obligations, reviewing account documents and exploring repayment or debt relief options when necessary can help families make informed financial decisions during an already challenging time.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Lee Feldman held the job for seven years until he was fired in 2018 by the commission.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Proponents of the authorization note that the $155 million investment arrives four years after a severe drought in the Sacramento Valley in 2022 had cost local communities hundreds of millions of dollars and roughly 1,500 jobs.

— Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 2 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