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 Bomanbridge, which is headquartered in Singapore with an additional office in London, brings a catalogue exceeding 5,700 hours across factual, wildlife, history, lifestyle and scripted genres. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 June 2026 The Universal Music Group NV offices in London, UK, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 4 June 2026 The National Public Radio affiliate and the University of Missouri-Kansas City announced on Tuesday that staff and broadcast operations for KCUR and Classical KC, the classical music station, would move to office space in the Country Club Plaza under a two-year lease starting June 15. Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026 About 50 people gathered at the Yes on V campaign office Tuesday night to watch returns, including some of the dozens of UC Davis student interns who supported the measure. Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, was employed by Ohio State’s athletic department and medical staff for nearly two decades.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • Mullin took over from former Secretary Kristi Noem in March after she was fired not long after lawmakers pressed her about the department’s massive spending.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Madix took over hosting duties in 2024.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
  • Her effortless, model-off-duty style rarely misses.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Instead, pluralism, naturally associated with diversity and popular agency, was made into the cultural face of capitalism—it was branded as a false openness mimicking the free market, as a flattening that might cause art and art history to lose the threads of progress and quality.
    Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Aguilar was taken into custody during a SWAT operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • People see you as sensible and ready to assume the responsibilities of the position.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
  • And every morning, thousands of CPS educators walk into those same buildings carrying an enormous responsibility that too often goes unrecognized.
    Susana A. Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The local tourism bureau also offers a downloadable coupon book for even more vacation discounts.
    Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026
  • Each bureau is handled separately.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • This year, Davis began the process of shifting some sidewalk repair obligations onto adjacent property owners to address a repaving backlog and citywide budget deficit.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
  • Gomez also criticized the public notice that warned broadcasters about their public interest obligations.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • The fumes from the Agripost landfill near the Skyway Elementary School were so bad that the children couldn’t go outside for gym class and their desks were covered in mold.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Even if a vote is added to the Senate calendar, CLARITY will need a bipartisan vote of 60 to advance towards the President’s desk for signature.
    Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • While DeGette has focused her comments on the need for humanitarian aid, Kiros has more directly criticized Israel and questioned its legitimacy as a state.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • Regular blood rechecks will be necessary and will determine the need for medications, possibly for the rest of her life.
    Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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