office

Synonym Chooser

How is the word office distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of office are duty, function, and province. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

In what contexts can duty take the place of office?

While the synonyms duty and office are close in meaning, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is it sensible to use function instead of office?

While in some cases nearly identical to office, function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

When could province be used to replace office?

The meanings of province and office largely overlap; however, province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

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 office Read more: Why U.K. Police Plan to Arrest Anyone Showing Support for Palestine Action at Upcoming Protest The plan, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office early Friday, would begin with the Israel Defense Forces seizing Gaza City. Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 Aug. 2025 Vance was apparently unaware that the water level had been raised to accommodate his kayaking excursion, according to his office. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025 Sheriff Shawn Holloway activated his office’s search and rescue teams. Arkansas Online, 8 Aug. 2025 Alternative funding Austin has applied for a different FEMA grant given to the state for Hurricane Beryl, according to the office of Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Furtens, whose district includes the project site. Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • At both events, the local police departments showed off the skills of the departments’ police dogs.
    Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Neither Tait nor the police department immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Its three secondary duties would be (1) domestic competition; (2) international competitiveness; and (3) investment.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • So where is Adriana just a few short hours later when duty calls?
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Detectives have reached out to several police agencies across the country to discuss various suspects and cases that have any similarities to the Fleming case, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Analysts have found that countries like the DR Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan received over one-fifth of their total development assistance from the now-defunct US agency, Semafor reported back in February.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Policymakers cannot kick the can of responsibility for grid upgrades down the road or hope for a savior from the private sector.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Love could intertwine with domestic responsibilities.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Following that ruling, the administration swiftly moved once again to fire most of the bureau's staff.
    Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this year dropped a similar case after President Donald Trump fired the agency’s leader and his administration halted nearly all the bureau’s work, closed its headquarters and moved to fire many of its workers.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Therapists who veer into being a friend are likely violating their duty and ethical obligations.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • This puts a spotlight on your career, but oppositions to Saturn and Neptune in your 10th house force you to balance work demands with family obligations and responsibilities.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Chen was studying finance and mining Ethereum in his dorm room, all while interning at Innovating Capital on a hedge fund desk.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
  • This affordable office chair is very comfortable and fits well under most desks.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, a spokesperson for the department instead stressed the need for stability in the West Bank.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The need for an athletic midfielder and perhaps a reliable goalkeeper remains but this now feels like a squad with enough depth for a no-European-games campaign.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on office

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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