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 The fund has completed more than 100 transactions, raising 2 billion euros from institutional investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 The special agent in charge of the Miami Field office said in a statement that some of the men were arrested. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026 Regardless of Biller’s artistic intention, the question remains if her passionate brand of moviegoers will translate to the box office. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026 The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that no update about Zahnd’s death will be provided until the coroner’s office determines his cause of death. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • Since joining the program in July 2025, FDLE has announced the arrests of hundreds of immigrants accused of various crimes in days-long operations in which agents collaborated with local police departments and ICE.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Kao was born in Taiwan and has made major donations to engineering departments at University of Kansas and Kansas State.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Let the national flag float over every schoolhouse in the country and the exercises be such as shall impress upon our youth the patriotic duties of American citizenship.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Pembroke Pines officers asked the sheriff’s office to handle the homicide investigation — John retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department following nearly 28 years of service and his on-duty motorcycle crash.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Makary's time at the agency was defined by scientific disputes, leadership changes and a string of media stories detailing low morale and internal dysfunction among staffers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The agency said the father and son sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Their characters contended with sexism, inflexible schedules, unequal pay and the near impossibility of balancing work with responsibilities at home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Lewis was never charged in the poisonings, but he was convicted of extortion for sending a letter to Tylenol maker Johnson & Johnson taking responsibility for the deaths and demanding $1 million to stop them.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis' political bureau, said Washington reached out to the rebels after their rapid advance down Yemen's western coast to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier this month.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, said Washington reached out to the rebels after their rapid advance down Yemen’s western coast to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier this month.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • However, the secondary TV networks do not have any obligation to provide content to third parties.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But also know that no one is under any obligation to answer questions about their body, even at a gym.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • During cross-examination on Tuesday, Kosowski asked a detective to lift a cart with a person onto a desk in an attempt to disprove the state's theory, which the judge did not allow.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • That hire will not have a desk or attend the Christmas party.
    — Xavier Gabriels, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Surely, The New York Times suggests in its review of the book, Green sees himself in Juniper’s need to be taken seriously as an adult.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In a statement, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation acknowledged the need to improve regulation and ensure it is applied consistently in every county.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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