BID Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bid 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bid

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

as in to order

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority the servants were expected to do exactly as they were bidden

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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!

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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

Edwards has denied the allegations, but ended his reelection bid after the House Ethics Committee posted their investigative findings last month. — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 For his part, Johnson — who has not yet announced a reelection bid — credits progressive policies aimed at the root causes of crime, including major spending on youth summer jobs and community violence intervention. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

Compelled by law, the young woman bid an emotional farewell to her family and her homeland in 2021 to settle in the United States. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Behind the scenes, five toaster companies might have bid on what the agent sees. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bid

Noun

Shein's Hong Kong debut comes after earlier attempts to go public in New York and London did not materialize.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Smith hit the next pitch to right field, just out of the reach of a diving attempt by Braden Montgomery for a triple.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of attempt

Verb

Even though Vaughn's initial plea was not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, and a mental status exam was ordered, no pretrial tests were done.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
In a similar format to Family Feud, TopClubTen gives you ten top answers, ordered by amount, recency, value, and so on.

— Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of order

Verb

This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
The people attending the official screenings are invited to vote, and the film receiving the highest average score receives the Armani Beauty Audience Award.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of invite

Verb

The next month, senior bank leaders and vice chairs were instructed by human resources not to enter positive feedback about Nallasivan’s performance in the evaluation system, according to the lawsuit.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
Trump made the name change in an executive order signed on Thursday, which instructed the Secretary of the Interior to implement the change within the next 30 days.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of instruct

Verb

The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council that the Kenscoff attack forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, many for the second or third time.

— Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of tell

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“Bid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bid. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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noun

verb

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