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 Robinson’s office refused to provide the pilot’s biography despite the fact that his name, photo, and other service details were posted on the official Blue Angels website. ABC News, 23 July 2026 Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said her office had also tried to reach the lawmakers without success. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 Five candidates vying for three top-of-ballot offices made their appeal to law enforcement officers from over 200 counties on Tuesday at the annual Sheriffs Association of Texas conference in Fort Worth. Rachel Royster july 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026 For patients hoping to return to the gym, the office, or the trails around Folsom Lake, recovery time is an important part of the consultation. Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • And some legal experts are now questioning whether the department is playing politics in an unprecedented way with a high-profile criminal investigation.
    Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • But the department still did other daytime road work around town and worked on I-285 in the overnight hours.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • The ritual is one of the most somber duties of a commander-in-chief.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • There have been summers when Manchester United players needed special attention from the club’s staff and fans after returning from England duty.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • The Young Parents Project will close July 31 after Citrus Health Network, the lead agency overseeing Miami-Dade’s child welfare system and a partner of the program for five years, eliminated its $577,453 contract to help address a budget deficit.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • The sheriff's office said multiple agencies responded by deploying boats and emergency personnel to the scene.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • The last sentence often appears in Jewish writings, sometimes using non-gendered language, that emphasize taking responsibility when no one else does.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • Now that Klarna's involved, however, Apple is happy to launch a payment program without having to shoulder any financial responsibility.
    Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • The bureau previously released thousands of documents, but most are heavily redacted and hide potentially vital information.
    Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026
  • The coroner’s bureau said it was determined May 13 that the manner of death was suicide with the cause being a gunshot wound to the head.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Later in the day, discussions began to accelerate, with Villa moving to close the deal, which centred on an initial loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The European Commission previously said AliExpress breached its obligations under the DSA, which required it to diligently assess and mitigate the risks of counterfeits.
    Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Among other changes, the district is bringing in iPad carts to store devices away from students’ desks when students aren’t using them.
    Julianna Mejia July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • Now put a simple number on every query that routes through your second brain instead of landing on your desk.
    Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Being the venue everyone needs did not buy safety, and the American umbrella arrived after the fact rather than before it.
    Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Growing need, few resources Women’s incarceration rates have grown at twice the pace of men’s in recent decades.
    Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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