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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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The charge is a Class 2 misdemeanor that carries the potential for 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, experts say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026 In 1992, when a jury acquitted the officers of the most serious charges, Los Angeles erupted in four days of riots that left 50 dead and more than 2,300 injured. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Police arrested and charged a woman with first-degree murder Friday in the July killing of 33-year-old Corey Barnard in Charlotte. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 Legend Storer, 20, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and indecent exposure, according to online court records. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026 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
  • Tarrant County District Attorney In mid-November 1996, Narez shook her daughter, Kasandra White, and threw the child into a wall, causing her head to strike a door, according to the 1999 Tarrant County grand jury indictment.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • From long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station to helping prepare the Artemis generation, his contributions have helped position NASA for what comes next.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • On January 29, 2025, 67 people died when an Army Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission and American Airlines regional jet landing at the airport collided over the Potomac River.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Lai was also seen donning a flak jacket, listening to briefings and issuing instructions during the drill.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Coinbase launched a new tool that will allow agents like ChatGPT or Claude to execute crypto trades using natural language instructions.
    — Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The Gemini Moon moves through your 6th House of Work and Wellness and sextiles Saturn in your 4th House of Home, helping routines, chores, and household responsibilities click into place.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Blending intimate drama with urgent political relevance, the film explores generational conflict, responsibility and the search for meaningful action in times of crisis.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • While mass shootings are still rare in Thailand, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile attacks in recent years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Low labor costs, a large French-speaking workforce and relatively weak unions have made Morocco an attractive outsourcing destination for international companies, particularly French firms seeking to reduce costs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The additional pension costs imposed by AB 1383 would leave cities with less money for staffing, salaries, and other public services or require significant tax increases.
    — Mariana Trujillo, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of cost
Noun
  • The focus is widening to include the financial stewardship of the organizations receiving those dollars, and whether nonprofit boards are exercising sufficient oversight over the executives entrusted to spend them.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Strong governance, transparency, and meticulous record-keeping are crucial for maintaining tax-exempt status and ensuring the collection's long-term stewardship.
    — Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Every case has a value, which is determined by the likely amount of recovery or exposure as adjusted by the likely chance or winning or losing ― plus the attorney fees, expenses and costs to get the case over the finish line.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This is Texas's first year using $1 billion of taxpayer money to fund private school expenses for eligible families who applied to the program.
    — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of expense

Phrases Containing charge

Browse Nearby Words

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 14 Aug. 2026.

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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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