DUTY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'duty' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of duty are assignment , chore , job , stint , and task . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance. // the duties of a lifeguard

Q: When is it sensible to use 'assignment' instead of 'duty'?

In some situations, the words assignment and duty are roughly equivalent. However, assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority. // a reporter's assignment

Q: Where would 'chore' be a reasonable alternative to 'duty'?

The words chore and duty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm. // every child was assigned chores

Q: When could 'job' be used to replace 'duty'?

The synonyms job and duty are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance. // the job of turning the company around

Q: In what contexts can 'stint' take the place of 'duty'?

The meanings of stint and duty largely overlap; however, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service. // a 2-month stint as a reporter

Q: When can 'task' be used instead of 'duty'?

Although the words task and duty have much in common, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance. // charged with a variety of tasks

duty

noun

ˈdü-tē

Definition of duty

as in tax

a charge usually of money collected by the government from people or businesses for public use the shop at the airport charges no duty on tourist memorabilia

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly the regular duties of a lifeguard

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in obligation

something one must do because of prior agreement I must obey the call of duty and serve my country

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun duty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of duty are assignment, chore, job, stint, and task. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

When is it sensible to use assignment instead of duty?

In some situations, the words assignment and duty are roughly equivalent. However, assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

Where would chore be a reasonable alternative to duty?

The words chore and duty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When could job be used to replace duty?

The synonyms job and duty are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of duty?

The meanings of stint and duty largely overlap; however, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

When can task be used instead of duty?

Although the words task and duty have much in common, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

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 duty Under state law, a court can remove a director for fraud, dishonest acts or breach of duty in a case the attorney general can bring. — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 There’s a thought the Dolphins could use rookie tight end Will Kacmarek, a third-round pick, to handle short-yardage blocking duties. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 Trusts can also contain language that allows for reconfiguration in the event of conflicts of interest and other circumstances that touch on fiduciary duties. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Florida’s depth is solid, too, with Cincinnati transfer Evan Pryor likely sharing some third-down duties. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty

Noun

The Heat are hard-capped at the NBA first luxury-tax apron due to the machinations required to trade last month for Milwaukee Bucks forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
The feature is produced by Scandi giant SF Studios in co-production with Croatia’s Kinorama, SVT and NRK, with funding from the Swedish Film Institute, Film Stockholm, Film i Dalarna, and a Croatian tax rebate.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of tax

Noun

That seemingly simple skill can eventually become the foundation for much more advanced service-dog tasks, including using his nose to push or close objects.

— Nelly Carreño, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
In another test, a person demonstrated a task with their own hands while visible to the robot’s cameras.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of task

Noun

There were plenty of options, from excursions and cultural experiences to restaurants and time by the pool or beach, but none felt like obligations.

— Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Most of the funds would be borrowed, with about $10 billion coming through general obligation bonds that would be repaid over time by California taxpayers.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Denver is facing a $200 million budget deficit in 2026 and has laid off 169 city workers, cut city services and left hundreds of city jobs unfilled because of the budget squeeze.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The court dismissed the case against her manager, who also lost his job.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

The Miami Marlins shook up their bullpen a bit on Sunday, designated for assignment veteran lefty reliever John King and recalling rookie Jack Ralston ahead of their series finale against the Washington Nationals.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Real confident in my alignment and assignment on the defense, stuff like that, film study.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of assignment

Noun

Tokayev, who has sought to maintain a delicate balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, has justified the changes by citing the need for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Power becomes the bottleneck NVIDIA says the need for powered, shovel-ready sites is becoming critical as computing demand increases.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Cite this Entry

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“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of duty

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