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 After negotiating with Montes for about 40 minutes, a small team of deputies were able to enter the home and rescue the child unharmed, the sheriff’s office said. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2025 Just like your best jeans, denim skirts are a solid and versatile base for creating looks because they can be combined with almost any top and easily be adapted for the office, a weekend date, a day at the beach, and many other occasions. René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 24 June 2025 Wall Street has rushed into the Gulf over the past few years, opening offices and signing investment agreements. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025 President Donald Trump tried during his first term in office. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • A day after a man was shot and killed by Lenexa police, the department declined to provide additional details about the shooting, including whether the man fired at officers.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
  • After a federal lawsuit accused USDA's data demand of violating federal privacy laws, a senior official said in court filings that data would not be collected until the department satisfied legal requirements and could ensure the data would be appropriately safeguarded.
    Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Trump has set a July 9 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs, but trade talks have run into obstacles including discussions over duties on farm goods, steel and car parts.
    Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • In early 2025, the U.S. imposed new tariffs on Canadian lumber, pushing duties as high as 35%.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The group’s 900-page policy agenda gained the most attention, proposing a policy blueprint for all major federal agencies that pushed controversial right-wing policies and sought to give the president more power by replacing career civil servants with presidential appointees.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The cooling station — a partnership among Gastonia, Gaston County and HealthNet Gaston, the lead agency for the county’s continuum of care — opened Friday after the community raised concerns about the need for a place for the unhoused to escape the heat.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • For the generation currently between 13 and 28 years old, better known as Gen-Z, Trump’s policy bill represents a shift in retirement policy that places more responsibility on the individual.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • But the water that none of us can live without is everyday kindness and responsibility.
    Pico Iyer, Time, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Sources familiar with the matter told Politico that the branch would be split between three undersecretaries, and half of the current bureau would be moved to other divisions.
    Morgan Kromer, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025
  • According to the visitors’ bureau, convention bookings for the second half of 2025 and most of 2026 are nearly sold out — a strong showing that undoubtedly will bring more people into town.
    Matt Villano, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • During a Monday appearance on Fox News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration had taken steps to inform senior Democratic leaders about the strikes in advance, despite having no obligation to do so.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
  • Iran likely would not have been able to breach its nonproliferation obligations — as reported by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency — had Trump not trashed the pact that President Obama and other world powers, including Russia, made with Iran to limit its nuclear program.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • On his otherwise empty desk sat a colorful carved wooden figure of a boy wearing overalls and dangling his feet over a quaint pier in a recognizable fishing posture.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • My father worked nights as the desk attendant at a cheap hotel downtown.
    Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Breslow addressed three areas of need in starting pitching, bullpen help and another bat for the lineup.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • So does the rage that accompanies it, and the need to not just forget the past but the temptation to erase yourself from the present.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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