Synonyms of duty

duty

noun

ˈdü-tē 

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

• tax
• levy
• tariff
• imposition
• impost
• excise
• assessment
• income tax
• direct tax
• tribute
• personal tax
• property tax
• poll tax
• single tax
• toll
• sales tax
• value-added tax
• withholding tax
• capitation
• hidden tax
• surtax
• supertax
• inheritance tax
• estate tax
• surcharge
• death tax
• flat tax
• proportional tax
• sin tax
• custom(s)

2

as in task

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly

the regular duties of a lifeguard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• task
• job
• assignment
• responsibility
• mission
• project
• chore
• function
• errand
• office
• operation
• endeavor
• commission
• undertaking
• care
• stint
• post
• enterprise
• chare
• charge
• route
• circuit
• round

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

• obligation
• responsibility
• need
• commitment
• burden
• promise
• vow
• office
• requirement
• pledge
• imperative
• constraint
• do
• charge
• devoir
• pact
• oath
• payment
• incumbency
• contract
• must
• arrangement
• compulsion
• tribute
• debt
• word
• trust
• setup
• covenant
• restraint
• compact
• reservation
• prearrangement
• coercion
• force
• engagement
• appointment
• duress
• troth
• onus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharge
• relief
• grace
• exemption
• stay
• release
• waiver
• ease
• postponement
• choice
• option
• selection
• alternative
• preference
• loophole
• pick

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

Recent Examples of duty

Try them with athletic shorts to channel a cool, eclectic vibe that’s perfect for off-duty hangs. —Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2026

Jay Bhattacharya is director of the National Institutes of Health and senior official carrying out the delegable duties of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Jay Bhattacharya, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2026

Three sailors were injured in the incident and have since returned to duty. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026

Arnold Schwarzenegger later took on hosting duties for The Celebrity Apprentice in 2017 for one season before his own departure. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026