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

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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
Colon-Johnson is facing three felony charges of hit and run great bodily harm, second-degree reckless injury and knowingly operating a motor vehicle while suspended causing great bodily harm. —Jessica Van Egeren, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025 Mesa police referred the case for prosecution, but the Maricopa County Attorney's Office declined to file charges, saying the case lacked a reasonable chance of conviction. —Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
Smith's 1991 trial drew national attention and was televised after he was charged with assaulting a woman in Palm Beach after a night of drinking. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025 Michael Gann, 55, of Inwood, New York, was charged with manufacturing at least seven of the explosive devices found hidden on the subway and rooftops. —Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 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
  • His administration has pushed for the release of grand jury testimony linked to Epstein’s indictment, though a judge recently denied the request, which may never clear a number of legal hurdles needed to get the jury documents published.
    — Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Over the past several years, federal prosecutors in Sacramento and Fresno have targeted the Aryan Brotherhood with indictments stemming from a massive Drug Enforcement Administration investigation.
    — Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Definition of indictment
Noun
  • The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has targeted invasive Burmese pythons and iguanas for removal — a task Kimmel has taken on as a professional mission.
    — Mark Price Updated July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • Families can also listen to short episodes of the Cow Tales Podcast and find more secret missions.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
Definition of mission
Noun
  • Opt-in systems are most effective when paired with instruction about disasters and how to respond to warnings, Sellnow said, making education a crucial responsibility of local governments.
    — Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Proponents of cursive instruction point to studies that indicate cursive instruction can help students improve memory and information retention, versus taking notes on a computer.
    — Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Data protection policy is typically owned by the chief information security officer (CISO), but the responsibility for migrating to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) extends far beyond the security department.
    — Antonio Sanchez, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The season sees Wyle's Dr. Robby shoulder the brunt of responsibility as his ER endures a stressful day, capped off with a mass casualty event that sees resources stretched thin.
    — Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.
    — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • If its conversion from a Type 003 attack submarine into a ballistic missile submarine proves to be successful, its initial operational debut could come within the next six to 12 months.
    — Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • At a production cost of $200 million, plus much more to market and distribute, the film will need to hold as one of the biggest grossers of the year to turn a profit in theaters.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 26 July 2025
  • The other pushback is: Why should countries like Germany with low funding costs do this?
    — New York Times, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Definition of cost
Noun
  • Clear desk enforcement helped the firm reduce data exposure and created a culture of information stewardship.
    — Bojan Ilic, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Tad underscores the importance of treating water stewardship as a generational responsibility — pointing out that lakes can degrade over time if not carefully managed.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of stewardship
Noun
  • Funds become accessible at 18 for qualified expenses, with broader withdrawal options phased in over time.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Prosecutors allege that Measures used that money, which was held in an escrow account for clients, to pay for personal and operating expenses, pay off creditors, Four Seasons spa treatments, clothing, car payments and at least $55,000 for Los Angeles Crypto Arena seats.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 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 29 Jul. 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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