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
As well as the recent charges, five women in the U.K. — four who remained anonymous and one who was 16 years old — previously came forward to accuse Brand in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 current affairs show Dispatches in September 2023. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Robert Wilson King, 35, was arrested in McKinney on April 3 and faces a criminal charge of transmitting an interstate threat, according to the release. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
At the federal level, he has also been charged with murder and stalking. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 Avoid any water that may be charged with electricity and do not attempt to walk through floodwaters. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 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
  • According to an indictment, Hedges worked at three U.S. Postal Service offices in Brockton — about a 20-mile drive south from Boston — between October 2020 and August 2023.
    — Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities obtained warrants to search Weiss’ residence in Ann Arbor and seized multiple devices as part of a two-year investigation that produced last week’s federal indictment.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • The squad soon discovers the job is a suicide mission and must choose between redemption or the final termination of their close brotherhood.
    — Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This is not only an opportunity to reimagine an extraordinary historical journey, but also a mission that aligns with Toei’s long-standing tradition of producing bold, genre-defining stories.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Through the years, North talked about his experiences as a child actor, saying producers were most interested in obtaining a performance out of him while his schooling was neglected, despite California laws requiring three hours of instruction a day for child actors.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Next, Henrique simply told Copilot to organize the notes—no need for specific instructions.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Skills and experience requirements: a minimum of 10 years of experience in a professional services leadership role confirmable P&L responsibilities and experience managing large teams.
    — Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Even if these next steps don’t seem like a drastic transition to you, the sheer concept of rigid labels can feel like a pressure point to others—one that comes with more expectations, responsibility, and a level of intimacy that can be intimidating for some.
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • On Friday, a Russian ballistic missile and drone attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih -- Zelenskyy's home town -- killed 19 people, including nine children.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2025
  • There has been a big labor split, however, with carpenters and laborers unions going heavily for Moreno — and waging tough attacks against Aguirre.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • On far too many occasions, Watson chose deceit over candor, grasping for the illusion of business success and personal acclaim at any cost.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Having an emergency fund prevents the need to use credit cards for these costs, which can increase debt if not paid off quickly due to interest.
    — Víctor Rosario, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Under his stewardship, Le Bon Marché underwent a significant renovation, expanding its floor area by 43,000 square feet.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Lithium Americas is committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, working closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure sustainable development practices at Thacker Pass.
    — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Related Story The company added that this development stage will pave the way for global biomass sourcing and will promote local production facilities with biomass suppliers, further minimizing shipping and production expenses and emissions.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Trillion-dollar deficits are no longer shocking, and interest expense alone is hovering around record levels.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of expense

Phrases Containing charge

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chares
charge
chargeable
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Cite this Entry

“Charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charge. Accessed 13 Apr. 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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