charge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of chargenext
1
as in indictment
a formal claim of criminal wrongdoing against a person charges of burglary and armed robbery that have yet to be proved

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mission
a specific task with which a person or group is charged your charge is to keep everyone else organized and busy

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3
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned we've received an official charge about how to handle the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in responsibility
something one must do because of prior agreement the first charge of our armed forces is to defend this country against enemy attack

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5
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the famously disastrous charge led by General George Pickett at Gettysburg

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6
as in cost
the amount of money that is demanded as payment for something the charge for the book will be five dollars

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7
as in stewardship
the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control was given charge of the business during the owner's absence

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8
as in expense
a payment made in the course of achieving a result the charges mounted at a dizzying pace as the building project went way over budget

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9
as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings the slopes at this resort aren't particularly challenging and aren't likely to give expert skiers much of a charge

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10
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something he inherited charge of the Paris bureau after his supervisor quit

Synonyms & Similar Words

charge

2 of 2

verb

ˈchärj How to pronounce charge (audio)
1
as in to ask
to set or receive as a price any shop would charge $100 to repair that thing

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2
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty charges a restocking fee for returned merchandise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to task
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to we're charging you with the care of your little sister while we're gone for the evening

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4
as in to order
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority charged the soldier to keep watch over the prisoner

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5
as in to accuse
to make a claim of wrongdoing against he has not yet been charged with any crime

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to fill
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained charge a blast furnace with iron ore

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7
as in to assault
to take sudden, violent action against plans to charge the enemy's fortification at daybreak

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8
as in to thrill
to cause a pleasurable stimulation of the feelings of the players are going into this game still charged from their upset victory the week before

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb charge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of charge are bid, command, direct, enjoin, instruct, and order. While all these words mean "to issue orders," charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

When is bid a more appropriate choice than charge?

While in some cases nearly identical to charge, bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

How are the words command and order related as synonyms of charge?

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 do direct and instruct relate to one another, in the sense of charge?

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 would enjoin be a good substitute for charge?

The meanings of enjoin and charge largely overlap; however, enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

In what contexts can order take the place of charge?

The synonyms order and charge are sometimes interchangeable, 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 charge
Noun
He was arraigned on the felony charges in Lawrence District Court on Dec. 20, 2024. — Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025 Weinstein is currently awaiting retrial on rape charges in Manhattan after the state’s Court of Appeals overturned his initial conviction last year. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Chicken of the Sea, which moved its headquarters from San Diego to El Segundo in 2018, cooperated with the Department of Justice antitrust investigation and was not charged. — Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 This is a significant clampdown on current interest charged for borrowing on card. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charge
  1. indictment
  2. mission
  3. instruction
  4. responsibility
  5. attack
  6. cost
  7. stewardship
  8. expense
Noun
  • They were charged in a 39-count indictment that included conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud.
    — Diane J. Cho, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The film is an indictment of the cult of toxic fandom and rabid loyalty surrounding larger-than-life figures such as Moretti.
    — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • The documentary doesn’t lack for archival footage and photography from the various missions Lee has been a part of.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025
  • There is no attempt to determine the importance of the functions of each agency being cut or the possibility for better alignment of their mission with their operations.
    — Michael Eric Siegel, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Keep tower fans dust-free and in good working condition with these easy-to-follow cleaning instructions.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Consider spreading a very thin (¼-inch thick) layer of topsoil across the planting area before sowing seed according to label instructions.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Soundview has taken responsibility for the ongoing remediation, and the state continues to closely monitor that work.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Some Western intelligence and national security officials caution there is no smoking gun that signals Moscow's direct responsibility in all of the recent cable cutting incidents.
    — Erin Banco and Mari Saito, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Many of the attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships are allegedly in protest of Elon Musk‘s efforts to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government through pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Although the direct hit damage from his Repulsor Blast is being decreased, the attack's spell field damage is being bolstered to make up for it.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • These outings often came at a significant cost, as presidential golf trips require Air Force One travel, as well as extensive U.S. Secret Service protection and security disruptions in the local area.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • And most of the reason is there’s too much government regulation keeping people from being able to build houses at a reasonable cost.
    — Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Our activities promote environmental stewardship, social justice and sound governance practices.
    — Suat Bakkal, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • But on two fronts, Grier continued a risky pattern that has marked his stewardship of the franchise, often to his team’s detriment.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Your income potential skyrockets while your expenses stay relatively low.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Brawner has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses for the brothers with a goal of $20,000.
    — James Powel, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of expense

Phrases Containing charge

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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on charge

Nglish: Translation of charge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about charge

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