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 Huntington National Bank is cementing its presence in Charlotte’s financial center with prominent new skyline signage and a major office expansion in uptown. — Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026 Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said in a statement Monday that his office is considering whether to bring criminal charges related to a 2024 incident at the Chi Phi fraternity house. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026 The two groups exchanged words, displayed guns and then fired at each other, according to the sheriff's office. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 The court heard there were 185 complaints submitted through a reporting system run by Erdogan's office. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • Lam said the label will stay contemporary and will be wholesaled at department and specialty stores.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The county has failed to provide evidence that the quarry owner’s reclamation plan wouldn’t substantially interfere with animals’ movement, wrote Kim Freeburn, an environmental program manager with the department.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The friendly staff, who wear black uniforms with lettering that identifies their duties add to the hotel’s merry atmosphere.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Building continuous-duty gyrotrons for geothermal drilling could therefore help develop technology needed by both industries.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In 2013 the agency issued a rule saying the exclusion should apply only when an orphan drug is actually used for the rare condition it was designated for.
    — John Mildenberger, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, only officers who have completed one of five specific agency training courses can conduct vehicle stops.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And as these doors open to the general public, the scientific community has a responsibility to develop clear standards for what makes up a medically reliable genome in the first place.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The central point is that responsibility for AI’s effects rests with the people and institutions that develop, deploy, and rely on it.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • On the heels of that directive, the bureau issued new guidance that prohibited staff from granting requests for clothing accommodations for those inmates and barred the use of federal dollars for medical interventions.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The co-deputy director position was a first in the bureau's history.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Conversely, the players’ obligations remain individual, unfinanced and absorbed across 1,200 separate household clocks.
    — Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • And even with an involved father, mothers continue to carry the invisible mental load of the family, an unseen burden of data, obligations and preemptive planning tasks.
    — Megan Kuykendoll, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • For a touch of true elegance, book the Heritage Long Suite, which occupies the former postmaster’s office and is decked out with rich crown molding, marble fireplaces, and his original writing desk from the 19th century.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Erika brought the kids to the office most days to watch their dad record his podcast or work at his desk.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Mercury in your 10th House squares Mars in your partnership zone, so another person’s needs or opinions may push against your plans, reputation, or sense of direction.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Later in 2022, the FDA mandated that manufacturers keep more detailed tracking information across the food supply chain, sparking a need for a better barcode.
    — HubSpot, HubSpot, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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