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
Just over a decade on from opening the Tadawul to foreign institutions, Saudi Arabia has kept tweaking the exchange’s rules in a bid to bring in more foreign capital and boost liquidity. —semafor.com, 14 July 2025 Their newest bid, filed July 3, supplements an earlier June 27 appeal. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
Norville helmed her last episode of Inside Edition in June, bidding farewell to the show and its viewers in a heartfelt signoff. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 8 July 2025 Late last year, the satirical news source the Onion, along with the Sandy Hook families who Jones defamed, successfully bid on InfoWars to cover the damages. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 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
  • Notting Hill Carnival is going to be using live facial recognition this August in an attempt to identify criminals attending the world-famous event.
    — Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • An attempt to fire Powell could spark a legal battle, because the Federal Reserve is set up to function as an independent body free of political interference.
    — Rafael Nam, NPR, 22 July 2025
Definition of attempt
Verb
  • For a low-calorie, sugar-free option, order a Caffè Misto with 2% milk or a non-dairy milk, like coconut or almond milk.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 15 July 2025
  • At the same time, Trump has ordered billions of dollars in federal research grants to be cut, which would gut research on cancer, HIV, sickle cell disease, and more.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 July 2025
Definition of order
Verb
  • True Modern Mexican invites guests to enjoy their frozen Margarita Al Centro.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Earlier this year, I was invited to Saudi Arabia to speak at a conference.
    — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of invite
Noun
  • Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has announced his bid for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, making a second try at winning the seat.
    — Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • However, after trying it at a camp, a coach encouraged me to give it a try.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2025
Definition of try
Verb
  • Suppose your child’s teacher, under the guise of creating a welcoming classroom, instructed the 6-year-olds to choose their own ethnicities.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
  • Last week, Trump instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to begin the process of unsealing grand jury materials in the Epstein case.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Definition of instruct
Verb
  • Fastow started by going door to door to dozens of insurance brokers in San Francisco and asking them about their pain points and most time consuming tasks.
    — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • He was regularly asked about his access to national defense information, prosecutors said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2025
Definition of ask
Verb
  • The city has been told the Water and Wastewater Authority should have their standard operational system active at that time, Bell said.
    — Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
  • Popular jewelry designer Kendra Scott plans to marry Zac Brown, Scott told People.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of bid for Spanish Speakers

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