Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective officious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of officious are impertinent, intrusive, meddlesome, and obtrusive. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

When is it sensible to use impertinent instead of officious?

The words impertinent and officious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When can intrusive be used instead of officious?

Although the words intrusive and officious have much in common, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Where would meddlesome be a reasonable alternative to officious?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and officious are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When could obtrusive be used to replace officious?

The meanings of obtrusive and officious largely overlap; however, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

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 officious Cronenberg, in turn, has maintained a cool contempt for officious pundits and their agendas. Adam Nayman, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022 As her avenging brother, Laertes, the tenor David Butt Philip is ardent; as her officious father, Polonius, the tenor William Burden avoids caricature. New York Times, 15 May 2022 The soul of this community is local queen bee Sherry Conrad (Search Party alum Shalita Grant, the season’s MVP), an officious, controlling momfluencer with a knack for stealing the spotlight. Judy Berman, Time, 17 Oct. 2021 On their first day, the resort manager (Gustaf Hammarsten) recommends an isolated beach and arranges for the family to be driven there along with a few other tourists, including an officious doctor (Rufus Sewell) and his family. BostonGlobe.com, 22 July 2021 See All Example Sentences for officious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officious
Adjective
  • Perfect for both busy workdays and evenings out, the versatile top is easy to pair with lightwash jeans and a belt, or layered beautifully under blazers and cardigans.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
  • For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But those intrusive thoughts can wait for another day.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
  • In 2020, the couple stepped back as senior royals, citing intrusive press coverage and a lack of support from the palace.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The special ops unit chases every lead possible, from bribes to Mexican drug cartels, a meddlesome L.A. District Attorney (Merrick McCartha) and corruption in the government of Belarus.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 June 2025
  • Also on deck for Lionsgate are Good Fortune starring Keanu Reeves as a meddlesome angel along with Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansar and Hunger Games helmer Francis Lawrence’s Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • These harnesses are less obtrusive but easier for cats to escape from.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The exceptional service is jovial and slick, but never obtrusive.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • An annoying, biker beast blasted out of my bowels onto the page and became the not-so-invisible embodiment of my disease.
    David Soren, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In any case, this costume would probably go over best with a crowd of theater kids and/or people who are annoying about movies, also known as the exact Venn Diagram that is the staff of Them dot us.
    James Factora, Them., 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Officious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officious. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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