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
Both candidates will be forced to emphasize their conservative credentials in a bid to please Republican primary voters, which could provide an opening for their eventual Democratic challenger. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 And now the Bulls stand in the way of Miami’s bid to secure a home game in the play-in tournament. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
Retailers value tight control over the shopping experience and are wary of letting third-party demand-side platforms directly bid into their on-site inventory. —Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 This turmoil inevitably colours perceptions of what might happen in the summer — after Napoli bid £40million for him in January. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 2 Apr. 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
  • The team now intends to study more magnetars with Hubble in an attempt to decode their origins.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Trump's probe, announced on Tuesday, is viewed as an attempt to push back on leading critical minerals producer China, and comes on top of reviews into pharmaceutical and chip imports.
    — Anmol Choubey, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • Robert King, 35, who was charged with transmitting interstate threats in federal court on Monday, was ordered to stay in detention by U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Toliver after a hearing in Dallas on Wednesday afternoon, Fox News confirmed.
    — Elizabeth Pritchett, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The shift comes after reports that the cuts were ordered by Jeremy Lewin, a close ally of Elon Musk, who now oversees USAID under Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • The lawsuit alleged Burroughs harassed the couple by showing up to events he wasn’t invited to, lurking outside their room and recording sounds of them in bed.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Nothing that happens makes much sense, from the director of the New York Philharmonic showing up in Ransom to beg Quinn to come play in the orchestra to high schoolers getting invited to Senate fundraising events.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of invite
Noun
  • Still, that doesn’t mean ice bathing isn’t worth a try—especially if there’s the chance of achieving age-defying results.
    — Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Mahomes, 29, gave spring's hottest color a try while celebrating her friend Miranda Hogue's 30th birthday at the beach.
    — Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of try
Verb
  • Hippler concluded in another Friday order that jurors will be instructed on what evidence to consider in determining guilt or innocence, and that Kohberger’s demeanor during trial is not one of the aspects they’re allowed to consider.
    — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Reports emerged shortly after over the school’s emergency alert system, sending students and faculty into a panic as they were instructed to seek shelter.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of instruct
Verb
  • The actor adds that he was once asked if a company could use his voice and declined.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth ask whether this was the worst trade in NFL and major sports history.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Trump told the brief story behind the biblical holiday centered on Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian tradition, was crucified on a cross and then rose from the dead.
    — Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2025.

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