BID Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bid 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bid next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bid

2 of 2

verb

ˈbid

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

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

Examples 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

In its bid to boost its brand in the U.S., the company last week became the first official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup that’ll kick off in Miami in June 2025. —

Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 In June and October, Phillips withdrew two of Wiley’s works from auction at the last minute — a sign that no bids were coming in. —

Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour Another pop icon is bidding fans a fond farewell. —

Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 Rock fans, musicians, producers and engineers looking for inspiration will have the opportunity to bid on a rare recording console that the Beatles used to track one of their most famous albums. —

Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bid

Noun

Louisville committed a personal foul penalty on a 1-yard reception by Mosley to set up a 57-yard field goal attempt with one second left.

Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
For two decades, the organization has raged against government and corporate attempts to amass information on gun buyers.

Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024