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
The 2034 bid document stated that one of the stadiums would be in NEOM, built at the top of The Line, half a kilometre off the ground, taller even than the Empire State Building. —James Montague, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Opener should have shown signs of life, perhaps via a five-club cue bid. —Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Verb
As Hayley Atwell bids farewell to her Mission: Impossible character Grace, she’s taken on the most important role of her life. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 May 2025 But the retired Philadelphia Eagles center couldn’t understand why his brother bid in the first place. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 21 May 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
  • His attempt to turn the briefing into a public-relations coup—and to trade on his reputation as a deft negotiator has collapsed.
    — Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
  • An attempt to streamline that story line would render Elden Ring not unlike Game of Thrones: a dark, twisted fantasy narrative where death rules over all.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • One carried a 23-month sentence, and the other ordered five years of probation and a $200,000 fine, per AP.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Alongside the 12-year sentence, U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips ordered Zuberi pay close to $16 million in restitution and a nearly $2 million fine.
    — Tara Suter, The Hill, 29 May 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • He was invited to join the White House press briefing on April 28 and asked a question about it.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • The top 25 investors were also invited to a special pre-dinner and tour.
    — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of invite
Noun
  • Not even an approximate 40-foot fall and sustained injuries on her third try in 2019 deterred her from forging ahead with her goal — rather, the scary slip was just a stepping stone in her personal journey to achieving her dreams.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Around 2016, after a particularly painful breakup, the Body Work author decided to do something radical: give up on dating and give celibacy a try.
    — Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
Definition of try
Verb
  • But the Woodville Independent School District (ISD) confirmed after the Monday, May 19, incident, he was instructed not to return to campus.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • All staff members interviewed for the investigation were instructed to keep proceedings confidential, but those accused became aware of who made the allegations against them early on in the process, according to Hiestand’s report.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of instruct
Verb
  • Madrid sources, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, believed his last months at PSG and somewhat difficult exit impacted his start at Madrid.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The first document Walker Wright asks Presley to sign is an acknowledgement that Walker Wright is representing Presley personally while also acting as the lawyer who drafted the contracts between Kruse, Presley, and a third partner, business adviser Kevin Fialko.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • In 2024, a highly intoxicated passenger on an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo to Seattle reportedly bit a flight attendant in the arm an hour after takeoff, the Japanese airline told The Japan Times.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Trump told reporters Sunday that Putin is killing a lot of people.
    — Jackie Northam, NPR, 26 May 2025
Definition of tell

Phrases Containing bid

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bicycles
bid
biddability
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Cite this Entry

“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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