duty

noun

ˈdü-tē How to pronounce duty (audio)
Definition of dutynext
1
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

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2
as in task
a piece of work that needs to be done regularly the regular duties of a lifeguard

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in obligation
something one must do because of prior agreement I must obey the call of duty and serve my country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 This question puts a taxpayer on notice as to the possible duty to file an FBAR. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Mary is a reliable steward of district resources, never neglects her duties and includes all perspectives to arrive at the best decisions. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 The Progressives believed that these restrictions would allow independent experts to carry out important specialized government duties successfully, based on the merits and free from political interference. —Alden Abbott, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 In 1935, the court unanimously upheld Congress' requirement that presidents can fire members of independent boards or commissions only for cause, such as inefficiency, malfeasance or neglect of duty. —Andrea Hsu, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for duty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty
  1. tax
  2. task
  3. obligation
  4. job
  5. responsibility
  6. assignment
  7. need
Noun
  • Staying informed and regularly reviewing tax withholding can help maintain financial stability and prevent unexpected tax liabilities.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • On Capitol Hill, details are still under wraps as Republican lawmakers this year try to pass a major tax and spending bill that is seen as the primary vehicle for Trump's second-term agenda.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of tax
Noun
  • Here are key events in Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols' twisted plot leading up to the terrorist attack and significant moments after the tragedy, including the journey to justice and in the task of remembering what happened with a world-class memorial.
    — Todd Pendleton, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • What has been interesting is that it’s helped break kitchen tasks down into more manageable tasks.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of task
Noun
  • Judge Kevin Brazile refused to grant CBS an injunction, finding that Sony is likely to prevail on its claim that CBS has failed to live up to its contractual obligations.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Even very large spending cuts will not make a meaningful dent in those existing interest obligations in a single year.
    — Alicia Parlapiano, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Sure enough, in early 2024, PJ took a job as an avionics technician at Tinker.
    — Jenni Carlson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Since her charges were reduced to a misdemeanor, she was allowed to continue her job teaching.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of job
Noun
  • The strategy is straightforward: invest at least $2,000 in a company's stock to gain shareholder rights, then submit resolutions pushing for corporate responsibility.
    — Doc Louallen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Laurie thinks of honesty as a virtue, and she’s been telling the truth to other people without taking any responsibility for her own choices.
    — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram Lillie Davidson is a general assignment reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a TCU student studying journalism (Go Frogs!).
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Among the ruins, the most important school assignment left is to live despite it all.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of assignment
Noun
  • Not Effectively Communicating New Designs Even when organizations succeed in designing spaces that reflect modern needs, many fail to communicate how those spaces should be used.
    — Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • But focusing on meeting your essential needs first will lay the foundation for eventually finding the physical ability to do more. 2.
    — Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of need

Browse Nearby Words

dutifulness
duty
duumvirate
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Cite this Entry

“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on duty

Nglish: Translation of duty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about duty

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