DUTY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

duty

noun

ˈdü-tē

Definition of duty

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

Relevance

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly the regular duties of a lifeguard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Nowadays, most big concerts include at least some prerecorded elements; one duty of a touring drummer is to play in time with a click track, which keeps the music onstage in synch with the music on tape. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Job duties include greeting and assisting customers, operating cash registers, stocking shelves and cleaning the store. — Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026 The company has moved to diversify suppliers (to reduce import duties), raise prices (to absorb tariffs), and sell its logistics network as a service to other brands (to increase revenues from other retailers feeling the pinch). — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Gonzales and Feehan were active-duty soldiers supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, which assists partner forces in securing a lasting defeat of ISIS. — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duty

Noun

This informational and educational article does not offer or constitute, and should not be relied upon as tax or financial advice.

— Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Grossman, the attorney representing Ream and Morris in the two cases, agrees that there was massive tax evasion when the ban was passed.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of tax

Noun

Current remaining performance obligation (cRPO) up 14% in constant currency, which is also 1 percentage point above the July quarter guide.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The school board directed the Superintendent to determine what the district’s financial obligations would be if a Schools of Hope charter occupied a closed school.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Handle one visible fix, share one responsibility, or set up tomorrow’s essentials.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Noun

At least one of those pieces is expected to be infielder Josh Smith, who rejoined Toronto on Sunday after a brief rehab assignment.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Elwood’s assignment in Vegas in September 2009 was to keep the younger Gadhafi’s name out of the headlines.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of assignment

Noun

Errands, chores, or work needs may bump against your desire for ease, beauty, or personal space.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
The various configurations allow the property to accommodate a range of needs, budgets, and even levels of privacy, making the experience that much more customizable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Cite this Entry

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“Duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duty. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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