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 The Biden post-presidential office declined to comment on Stevenson’s arrest and charges. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 Conversely, the state Attorney General's office believes applying the anti-nepotism law in this situation would be an incorrect and overly broad interpretation. David Bauerlein, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026 China is one of the eight countries outside the United States where the NFL has an office. Ken Maguire, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026 People can also call the office at 520-351-4900. Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • Nanos and the sheriff's department did not return requests for comment.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Although the department’s immigration push has been infused with tens of billions of dollars in funds from legislation Congress passed last year, a shutdown of operations could affect other parts of the department’s budget, including TSA and FEMA.
    Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • After Caroline's death, her daughter, Mary, became the acting first lady and took over White House hosting duties for the final few months of her father's presidency.
    Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • It is made available to other agencies as needed about 200 days out of the year, usually for a fee to cover the cost of operations.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The company also said that forecasts generated by its tools could be created independently, allowing government agencies and companies to control their own information.
    Joe Wertz, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • If not, now's your chance to grab a calendar and pencil in some time to reconnect as a couple, plan a girls or guys trip, or just escape for a bit from the daily grind of child-rearing and work responsibilities.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Sachs has said shovels shouldn’t go into the ground until proper infrastructure is in place, which has generated a debate about whether developers have the responsibility to consider sufficient infrastructure before building.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Resident Tundra King, a former law enforcement officer, said the Sheriff’s Office has multiple advantages, including its SWAT team, bomb squad and detective bureau.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
  • The bureau’s American Community Survey this week released its estimates about demographics, housing, employment and other topics covering the most recent five-year period, from 2020 through 2024; the survey also publishes estimates representing single-year periods.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Thus, if the debtor were to receive a distribution in violation of a charging order, the debtor has an affirmative obligation to turn the distribution over to the creditor.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Despite facing many of the same challenges, Illinois has not responded, playing defense as governments face budget-busting pension debts and long-term obligations.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Restaurant tables sat empty, business windows went dark and students’ desks were abandoned in several cities across the country Friday amid a nationwide strike in protest of the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
  • When does this land on your desk?
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The vehicles can also be built to be recoverable in support of ever-changing mission needs.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
  • And, though able to navigate a great deal of the daily routine, Anna has gaps that will widen as her parents’ needs become more demanding.
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on office

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!