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Duty synonyms

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obligation
A moral or legal duty to perform or to not perform some action.
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  1. A moral or legal duty to perform or to not perform some action.
  2. The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received:
  3. The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty:
conscience
The part of the superego in psychoanalysis that judges the ethical nature of one's actions and thoughts and then transmits such determinations to the ego for consideration.
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  1. The part of the superego in psychoanalysis that judges the ethical nature of one's actions and thoughts and then transmits such determinations to the ego for consideration.
  2. A knowledge or sense of right and wrong, with an urge to do right; moral judgment that opposes the violation of a previously recognized ethical principle and that leads to feelings of guilt if one violates such a principle
  3. A source of moral or ethical judgment or pronouncement:
liability
A legally enforceable obligation.
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  1. A legally enforceable obligation.
  2. (Accounting) A debt of a person or business, as a note payable or a long-term debenture
  3. More generally, a debt or other legal obligation to pay an assessed amount (for example, taxes).
charge
Expense; cost:
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  1. Expense; cost:
  2. The command to attack:
  3. A claim of wrongdoing; an accusation:
responsibility
The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity.
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  1. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity.
  2. (Military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
  3. (Military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
accountability
(Military) The obligation imposed by law or lawful order or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping accurate record of property, documents, or funds. The person having this obligation may or may not have actual possession of the property, documents, or funds. Accountability is concerned primarily with records, while responsibility is concerned primarily with custody, care, and safekeeping. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms)
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  1. (Military) The obligation imposed by law or lawful order or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping accurate record of property, documents, or funds. The person having this obligation may or may not have actual possession of the property, documents, or funds. Accountability is concerned primarily with records, while responsibility is concerned primarily with custody, care, and safekeeping. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms)
  2. The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account; accountableness; responsible for; answerable for.
pledge
An item of property given as security for a debt or performance. an item of property given as security for a debt or performance.
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  1. An item of property given as security for a debt or performance. an item of property given as security for a debt or performance.
  2. A person who has been accepted for membership in a fraternity or similar organization and has promised to join but has not yet been initiated.
  3. The contract or transaction stipulating or involving such delivery.
commitment
A financial liability undertaken, as an agreement to buy or sell securities
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  1. A financial liability undertaken, as an agreement to buy or sell securities
  2. The state of being emotionally or intellectually devoted, as to a belief, a course of action, or another person:
  3. An order, especially one from a court, directing that a person be taken to and placed in the care or custody of a hospital, mental health facility, prison, or similar institution.
burden
Anything one has to bear or put up with; heavy load, as of work, duty, responsibility, or sorrow
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  1. Anything one has to bear or put up with; heavy load, as of work, duty, responsibility, or sorrow
  2. In property law, anything that encumbers or restrict the use or value of land, such as an easement, restrictive covenant, or zoning ordinance. The burden indefinitely binds the current and all future owners until it is extinguished, so it is the land, and the landowner, that is burdened by the encumbrance or restriction. See estate.
  3. A duty, obligation, or responsibility.
good faith
The sincere intention to be honest and law-abiding, as when negotiating a contract:
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  1. The sincere intention to be honest and law-abiding, as when negotiating a contract:
  2. A party’s state of mind in acting or carrying out an action or transaction, evincing honesty, fairness, full communication of any hidden issues or information, and an absence of intent to harm other individuals or parties to the transaction. A party’s state of mind in acting or carrying out an action or transaction, evincing honesty, fairness, full communication of any hidden issues or information, and an absence of intent to harm other individuals or parties to the transaction.
devoir
Acts or expressions of due respect or courtesy, as in greeting
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  1. Acts or expressions of due respect or courtesy, as in greeting
  2. An act or expression of respect or courtesy; civility:
  3. Duty or responsibility.
honesty
Any of a genus (Lunaria) of plants of the crucifer family, with purple and white flowers and large, flat, oval pods; esp., a plant (L. annua) whose pods are used in winter bouquets
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  1. Any of a genus (Lunaria) of plants of the crucifer family, with purple and white flowers and large, flat, oval pods; esp., a plant (L. annua) whose pods are used in winter bouquets
  2. (Uncountable) The act, quality, or condition of being honest
  3. The state or quality of being honest
integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code:
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  1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code:
  2. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness:
  3. The quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity
work
(Physics) The transfer of energy from one physical system to another, especially the application of a force to move a body in a certain direction. It is calculated as the product of the force and the distance over which it is applied and is expressed in joules, ergs, and foot-pounds.
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  1. (Physics) The transfer of energy from one physical system to another, especially the application of a force to move a body in a certain direction. It is calculated as the product of the force and the distance over which it is applied and is expressed in joules, ergs, and foot-pounds.
  2. A factory, plant, or similar building or complex of buildings where a specific type of business or industry is carried on. Often used in combination:
  3. The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking:
office
The building, room, or series of rooms in which the affairs of a business, professional person, branch of government, etc. are carried on
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  1. The building, room, or series of rooms in which the affairs of a business, professional person, branch of government, etc. are carried on
  2. (Chiefly British) The parts of a house, such as the laundry and kitchen, in which servants carry out household work.
  3. A function or duty assigned to someone, esp. as an essential part of his or her work or position
task
An undertaking involving labor or difficulty
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  1. An undertaking involving labor or difficulty
  2. A function to be performed; an objective:
  3. A piece of work assigned or done as part of one's duties.
occupation
An occupying or being occupied; specif., the seizure and control of a country or area by military forces
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  1. An occupying or being occupied; specif., the seizure and control of a country or area by military forces
  2. The act or process of holding or possessing a place.
  3. That which chiefly engages one's time; (one's) trade, profession, or business
function
The action or purpose for which a person or thing is suited or employed, especially:
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  1. The action or purpose for which a person or thing is suited or employed, especially:
  2. A special duty or performance required in the course of work or activity
  3. The special action or physiological property of an organ or a body part.
business
A commercial enterprise or establishment:
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  1. A commercial enterprise or establishment:
  2. An incidental action performed by an actor on the stage to fill a pause between lines or to provide interesting detail.
  3. One's work, occupation, or profession
province
An area of knowledge, activity, or interest:
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  1. An area of knowledge, activity, or interest:
  2. Areas of a country situated away from the capital or population center.
  3. A division of the world, smaller than a region, with reference to the plants or animals found there
part
Something a person must do; share of work or duty
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  1. Something a person must do; share of work or duty
  2. One's responsibility, duty, or obligation; share:
  3. A role:
calling
A job or occupation.
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  1. A job or occupation.
  2. A strong urge to become religious.
  3. An inner urge or a strong impulse, especially one believed to be divinely inspired.
charge
(Heraldry) A figure or device represented on the field of an escutcheon.
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  1. (Heraldry) A figure or device represented on the field of an escutcheon.
  2. The departure from electrical neutrality at a point, or in a region, as by the accumulation, or deficit, of electrical particles: more electrons than normal produce a negative charge; fewer, a positive charge
  3. The net measure of this property possessed by a body or contained in a bounded region of space.
service
Work done or duty performed for another or others
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  1. Work done or duty performed for another or others
  2. Work done for a master or feudal lord
  3. The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant:
mission
A goal or ambition to which a person or group is especially dedicated
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  1. A goal or ambition to which a person or group is especially dedicated
  2. A body of persons sent to a foreign land by a religious organization, especially a Christian organization, to spread its faith or provide educational, medical, and other assistance.
  3. An organization for carrying on missionary work in a territory.
obligation
The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty:
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  1. The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty:
  2. A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise, that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action:
  3. The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received:
contract
The writing or document containing such an agreement.
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  1. The writing or document containing such an agreement.
  2. A paid assignment to murder someone:
  3. Any legally binding agreement voluntarily entered into by two or more parties that places an obligation on each party to do or not do something for one or more of the other parties and that gives each party the right to demand the performance of whatever is promised to them by the other parties. To be valid, all parties must be legally competent to enter a contract, neither the objective nor any of the obligations or promised performances may be illegal, mutuality of the agreement and of its obligations must exist, and there must be consideration. See also acceptance, offer, privity, tender, breach of contract, and bargain. Any legally binding agreement voluntarily entered into by two or more parties that places an obligation on each party to do or not do something for one or more of the other parties and that gives each party the right to demand the performance of whatever is promised to them by the other parties. To be valid, all parties must be legally competent to enter a contract, neither the objective nor any of the obligations or promised performances may be illegal, mutuality of the agreement and of its obligations must exist, and there must be consideration. See also acceptance, offer, privity, tender, breach of contract, and bargain. To enter into or settle by a contract or to make a legally binding promise. The document containing the terms of a contract.
commitment
The act or an instance of committing, especially:
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  1. The act or an instance of committing, especially:
  2. The state of being emotionally or intellectually devoted, as to a belief, a course of action, or another person:
  3. An order, especially one from a court, directing that a person be taken to and placed in the care or custody of a hospital, mental health facility, prison, or similar institution.
station
The post, building, base, or headquarters assigned to a group of people working together, as in providing a service, making scientific observations, etc.
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  1. The post, building, base, or headquarters assigned to a group of people working together, as in providing a service, making scientific observations, etc.
  2. The place, building, or establishment from which a service is provided or operations are directed:
  3. An area where a person is assigned to work.
trust
(Law) A legal relationship in which one party holds a title to property while another party has the entitlement to the beneficial use of that property.
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  1. (Law) A legal relationship in which one party holds a title to property while another party has the entitlement to the beneficial use of that property.
  2. A combination of firms or corporations for the purpose of reducing competition and controlling prices throughout a business or industry.
  3. An industrial or business combination, now illegal in the U.S., in which management and control of the member corporations are vested in a single board of trustees, who are thus able to control a market, absorb or eliminate competition, fix prices, etc.
trouble
Any of various conflicts or rebellions in Ireland or Northern Ireland, especially the period of social unrest in Northern Ireland beginning in 1969.
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  1. Any of various conflicts or rebellions in Ireland or Northern Ireland, especially the period of social unrest in Northern Ireland beginning in 1969.
  2. A state of distress, affliction, difficulty, or need:
  3. A person, circumstance, or event that causes annoyance, distress, difficulty, etc.
burden
A source of great worry or stress; weight:
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  1. A source of great worry or stress; weight:
  2. Anything one has to bear or put up with; heavy load, as of work, duty, responsibility, or sorrow
  3. In property law, anything that encumbers or restrict the use or value of land, such as an easement, restrictive covenant, or zoning ordinance. The burden indefinitely binds the current and all future owners until it is extinguished, so it is the land, and the landowner, that is burdened by the encumbrance or restriction. See estate.
undertaking
Specifically, the business of an undertaker, or the management of funerals.
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  1. Specifically, the business of an undertaker, or the management of funerals.
  2. The act of one who undertakes, or engages in, any project or business.
  3. That which is undertaken; any business, work, or project which a person engages in, or attempts to perform; an enterprise.
commission
Compensation paid to an agent, employee, executor, or trustee based on a percentage of the money collected or to be collected in a transaction or a percentage of the value of the property involved. See also kickback and royalty.
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  1. Compensation paid to an agent, employee, executor, or trustee based on a percentage of the money collected or to be collected in a transaction or a percentage of the value of the property involved. See also kickback and royalty.
  2. (Mil.) An official certificate conferring rank; specif., a document issued by the government, making one a commissioned officer in the U.S. armed forces
  3. A formal written document from a government or court empowering the individual named therein to hold an appointive office or to perform official duties. In the case of an appointive office, the individual must receive the commission before she can act in their official capacity.
engagement
The action of engaging or the state of being engaged:
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  1. The action of engaging or the state of being engaged:
  2. A specific, often limited, period of employment:
  3. A promise or agreement to be at a particular place at a particular time:
assignment
(Education) a task given to students, homework or coursework
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  1. (Education) a task given to students, homework or coursework
  2. The act of assigning:
  3. The transfer of a duty, interest, or right from one party to another. See also subrogation. The transfer of a duty, interest, or right from one party to another. See also subrogation.
routine
A scripted piece of entertainment, especially in a nightclub or theater:
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  1. A scripted piece of entertainment, especially in a nightclub or theater:
  2. A set of normal procedures, often performed mechanically
  3. A regular, more or less unvarying procedure, customary, prescribed, or habitual, as of business or daily life
chore
A hard or unpleasant task
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  1. A hard or unpleasant task
  2. An unpleasant or burdensome task:
  3. A small routine task, as of a housekeeper or farmer
pains
Plural form of pain
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  1. Plural form of pain
  2. (used in plural) Trouble taken doing something; attention to detail; careful effort.
responsibility
(Military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
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  1. (Military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
  2. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity.
  3. (Military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
charge
Expense; cost:
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  1. Expense; cost:
  2. The command to attack:
  3. A claim of wrongdoing; an accusation:
revenue
The governmental service that collects certain taxes
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  1. The governmental service that collects certain taxes
  2. All the income produced by a particular source.
  3. The income of a government from all sources appropriated for the payment of the public expenses.
custom
(Law) Such usage as by common consent and long-established, uniform practice has taken on the force of law
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  1. (Law) Such usage as by common consent and long-established, uniform practice has taken on the force of law
  2. Habitual patronage, as of a store:
  3. The government agency in charge of collecting these duties, or any of its offices
tariff
Term is most frequently used to refer to a customs duty imposed on imported and exported merchandise. See also customs.
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  1. Term is most frequently used to refer to a customs duty imposed on imported and exported merchandise. See also customs.
  2. A list or system of taxes placed by a government upon exports or, esp., imports
  3. (Informal) Any bill, charge, fare, etc.
burden
Something that is emotionally difficult to bear.
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  1. Something that is emotionally difficult to bear.
  2. Anything one has to bear or put up with; heavy load, as of work, duty, responsibility, or sorrow
  3. In property law, anything that encumbers or restrict the use or value of land, such as an easement, restrictive covenant, or zoning ordinance. The burden indefinitely binds the current and all future owners until it is extinguished, so it is the land, and the landowner, that is burdened by the encumbrance or restriction. See estate.
charge
The formal allegation, contained in an indictment, information, or presentment, that a person committed a specific crime.
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  1. The formal allegation, contained in an indictment, information, or presentment, that a person committed a specific crime.
  2. The maximum or necessary quantity, as of fuel, that a container or apparatus is built to hold; also, the actual quantity held
  3. Care; custody:
commitment
Something pledged, especially an engagement by contract involving financial obligation.
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  1. Something pledged, especially an engagement by contract involving financial obligation.
  2. A financial liability undertaken, as an agreement to buy or sell securities
  3. An order, especially one from a court, directing that a person be taken to and placed in the care or custody of a hospital, mental health facility, prison, or similar institution.
imperative
A verb form of the imperative mood.
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  1. A verb form of the imperative mood.
  2. A command; order
  3. A rule, principle, or need that requires or compels certain action:
must
The unfermented or fermenting juice expressed from fruit, especially grapes.
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  1. The unfermented or fermenting juice expressed from fruit, especially grapes.
  2. A state of frenzy in animals, esp. in the male elephant, usually associated with sexual heat
  3. Something that is absolutely required or indispensable:
need
Necessity or obligation created by some situation
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  1. Necessity or obligation created by some situation
  2. A lack of something useful, required, or desired
  3. A condition or situation in which something must be supplied in order for a certain condition to be maintained or a desired state to be achieved:
obligation
The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty:
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  1. The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty:
  2. (Law) An agreement or duty by which one person (the obligor) is legally bound to make payment or perform services for the benefit of another (the obligee)
  3. A binding, formal arrangement or an agreement to a liability to pay a specified amount or to do a certain thing for a person or group of persons. See also duty and liability.
responsibility
Something for which one is responsible; a duty, obligation, or burden.
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  1. Something for which one is responsible; a duty, obligation, or burden.
  2. (Military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success. (JP 1-02 Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms).
  3. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity. The liability for an act and the obligation to repair any damage caused by that act; in criminal law, a person’s mental capacity to understand and answer in court for her or his actions; guilt. See also competent and capacity.
assignment
A position to which someone is assigned
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  1. A position to which someone is assigned
  2. The act of assigning:
  3. The transfer of a duty, interest, or right from one party to another. See also subrogation. The transfer of a duty, interest, or right from one party to another. See also subrogation.
chore
A small routine task, as of a housekeeper or farmer
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  1. A small routine task, as of a housekeeper or farmer
  2. A hard or unpleasant task
  3. An unpleasant or burdensome task:
job
(Informal) A state of affairs:
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  1. (Informal) A state of affairs:
  2. The object to be worked on:
  3. A specific piece of work to be done for a set fee:
office
A subdivision of a governmental department:
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  1. A subdivision of a governmental department:
  2. Public position:
  3. A duty or function assigned to or assumed by someone:
stint
A limitation or restriction:
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  1. A limitation or restriction:
  2. An assigned task or quantity of work
  3. A length of time spent in a particular way, especially doing a job or fulfilling a duty:
task
A difficult or tedious undertaking:
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  1. A difficult or tedious undertaking:
  2. A function to be performed; an objective:
  3. A piece of work assigned to or demanded of a person
application
Close attention; diligence:
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  1. Close attention; diligence:
  2. A way of applying or method of applying or using; specific use
  3. (Computers) A computer program designed for a specific task or use.
employment
(Archaic) Purpose to which something is put
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  1. (Archaic) Purpose to which something is put
  2. The state of working for another under a contract of hire that provides that one’s services are subject to the other’s direction and control. The state of working for another under a contract of hire that provides that one’s services are subject to the other’s direction and control.
  3. The thing at which one is employed; work; occupation; profession; job
service
Work that is done for others as an occupation or business:
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  1. Work that is done for others as an occupation or business:
  2. A system or method of providing people with the use of something, as electric power, water, transportation, mail delivery, etc.
  3. The system or equipment used to provide something to the public:
use
The act of using or the state of being used
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  1. The act of using or the state of being used
  2. Function, service, or benefit
  3. A habitual practice, such as drug use.
assessment
An amount assessed
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  1. An amount assessed
  2. The act of assessing; appraisal.
  3. The act of assessing or an amount (of tax, levy or duty etc) assessed.
impost
(Sports) The weight a horse must carry in a handicap race.
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  1. (Sports) The weight a horse must carry in a handicap race.
  2. Something, such as a tax or duty, that is imposed.
  3. A tax; esp., a duty on imported goods
levy
An amount levied; tax, fine, etc.
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  1. An amount levied; tax, fine, etc.
  2. The state’s acting of seizing and selling property to satisfy a tax or other liability.
  3. A tax or penalty.
tariff
A duty or duties so imposed.
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  1. A duty or duties so imposed.
  2. A list or system of taxes placed by a government upon exports or, esp., imports
  3. A tax of this kind, or its rate
tax
A fee or dues levied on the members of an organization to meet its expenses.
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  1. A fee or dues levied on the members of an organization to meet its expenses.
  2. A special assessment, as in a society, labor union, etc.
  3. A compulsory payment, usually a percentage, levied on income, property value, sales price, etc. for the support of a government
Find another word for duty. In this page you can discover 90 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for duty, like: obligation, conscience, liability, charge, responsibility, accountability, faithfulness, pledge, commitment, burden and good faith.

Sentence Examples

  • The sheriff has a duty to investigate.

  • I'm off duty, you know.

  • He was on light duty, working only with small animals; and part time.

  • More like my duty position.

  • It was Carl's duty to sit outside of the king's bedroom and be ready to serve him at any time.

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Words that mention duty in the Dictionary

Words near duty in the Thesaurus