office

Definition of officenext

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 His lawyer, John Carman, said the East Broadway office was no secret police station. John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026 The program was created as an extension of the Rooney Rule in 2022 to increase diversity among coaches and front-office executives. Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 Most Fed chairs leave the central bank when their time in the corner office runs out, but a Justice Department criminal investigation caused Powell to extend his stay. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 May 2026 Specifically, Congress put protections in place to ensure that covered programs offer legally qualified candidates for office (both Republican and Democrat) equal time on the public airwaves. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • Of course, none of this would be possible if the DOJ and Blanche happened to remember the department’s own function as the ostensible guardian of the rule of law.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
  • This role gives him the opportunity to explore different departments before eventually committing to a specialty.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Uthmeier has also argued that the government has a duty to protect children who didn’t have a say in not being raised by both biological parents.
    Ann Marie Luft, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
  • The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.
    Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • The nomination signals Trump is backing away from promises to eliminate FEMA, as Hamilton joins a beleaguered agency depleted by staff departures and a 75-day DHS shutdown.
    Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • The technology will allow communication with the agency, to help reduce travel times, records show.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Burns asked if Becerra bore responsibility for losing contact with tens of thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children who came over the southern border and were placed with often unrelated adult sponsors across the United States by HHS during the Biden administration.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2026
  • Why the Sedins would be eager to take on this challenge, this greater level of responsibility and legacy-threatening scrutiny that will come attached to it, at this low point in franchise history, is beyond me.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Three-bureau credit alerts can help catch new-account fraud.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
  • One section of the FBI case file includes a memo written by an agent in the bureau's Dallas field office to FBI headquarters.
    Stefan Becket, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Post-Adverse Outcome Disclosure Obligations The replacement bill also creates disclosure obligations after an adverse outcome.
    Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • The director bills it as a five-day road movie, with Mann journeying with his citizen-of-the-world daughter, Erika; the duo unable to attend the funeral of Klaus, Mann’s son, Erika’s brother, due to their obligations on the road.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Carolyn Hax started her Washington Post advice column in 1997, after five years on the Style desk and none as a therapist.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
  • My mother would leave her desk only to cook, clean the house and iron clothes, then return to work.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Often, everyone is trying their best but finding that there are simply too many competing and seemingly conflicting needs.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
  • Later, the Moon squares the Sun and could expose tension between private needs and outside expectations.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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