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

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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
Todd Golden’s team is poised for a deep run after rising to the top of a conference with a record 14 bids to the Big Dance. — Wesley Alden, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2025 Chatsworth fell short in its bid to win the Division II title. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
The online auction platform operates by allowing registered users to bid on items through its website. — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 Other than bidding on an antique tea set or whatever was happening? — Sean Rameswaram, Vox, 10 Mar. 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
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs after beating the Boston Celtics 118-112 Wednesday in a thrilling game defined by physicality and Boston’s unrelenting dedication to shooting the 3, setting a franchise record with 63 attempts.
    — Jay King, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • In an attempt to create a peaceful environment, soft parents rarely punish their kids, and generally accommodate their requests without enforcing boundaries.
    — Jana Pollack, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • Some of those judges have ordered the Trump administration to put its plans on hold while legal proceedings move forward, sparking condemnations from the president's allies and threats of impeachment.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported what the judge ordered unsealed.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • Every conductor is, in effect, a guest of the manor invited by the musicians.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This is not to say that every movie invites empathy, but rather that it can be found regardless of the aspects that make up the genre.
    — Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of invite
Noun
  • Odds: 55% Soundgarden The lot of 1990s bands feels less crowded this year, making Soundgarden a coin flip to make it on its third try.
    — Troy Smith, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The style even impressed one shopper who hates sneakers, but gave these a try after their podiatrist suggested the brand.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of try
Verb
  • My thought was interrupted when Bayes instructed us to laugh very hard.
    — Priscilla Posada, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Students were later allowed back into their halls of residence, but were instructed to avoid the university's Engineering Key area.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of instruct
Verb
  • The lawyers asked Boasberg to review whether the government complied with his order.
    — Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Ivy Nile Chad Gable hit the ring in a full suit and Michael Cole, who still believes Chad Gable was under the Lucha mask last week, asked Gable where his Lucha mask was.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • Hamilton told the media that the upcoming movie, slated for release on June 25 (June 27 for North America), has all the necessary ingredients to become a huge success.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Rekha Sharma-Crawford, a partner at Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law who represents several individuals who were detained, told The Star that her team should have a disposition on the last person in custody soon.
    — Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of tell

Phrases Containing bid

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Cite this Entry

“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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