office

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 After negotiating with Montes for about 40 minutes, a small team of deputies were able to enter the home and rescue the child unharmed, the sheriff’s office said. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2025 Just like your best jeans, denim skirts are a solid and versatile base for creating looks because they can be combined with almost any top and easily be adapted for the office, a weekend date, a day at the beach, and many other occasions. René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 24 June 2025 Wall Street has rushed into the Gulf over the past few years, opening offices and signing investment agreements. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025 President Donald Trump tried during his first term in office. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • After a federal lawsuit accused USDA's data demand of violating federal privacy laws, a senior official said in court filings that data would not be collected until the department satisfied legal requirements and could ensure the data would be appropriately safeguarded.
    Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 24 June 2025
  • Develop internal processes that ensure departments work with IT to identify where workflows intersect with risk.
    Daniel Root, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Following the shooting, he was overwhelmed by funeral arrangements, communications with the police, the duty of informing friends and family, legal paperwork, and more.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
  • Gunn explained that Chesterton and Porter Police each have one dispatcher on duty answering calls for their respective departments.
    Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Like many local government agencies, the city of San Diego is primarily self-insured.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as it is officially called, delivers cuts to the agency.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba suggested ISIS as a likely culprit following a preliminary investigation.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
  • The price tag attached to its capabilities could be tweaked at that point, potentially providing some breathing room for the lowest spenders Washington has been pushing for an unprecedented defense expenditure increase, arguing that European allies must take responsibility for their own security.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Sources familiar with the matter told Politico that the branch would be split between three undersecretaries, and half of the current bureau would be moved to other divisions.
    Morgan Kromer, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025
  • According to the visitors’ bureau, convention bookings for the second half of 2025 and most of 2026 are nearly sold out — a strong showing that undoubtedly will bring more people into town.
    Matt Villano, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Iran likely would not have been able to breach its nonproliferation obligations — as reported by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency — had Trump not trashed the pact that President Obama and other world powers, including Russia, made with Iran to limit its nuclear program.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025
  • During a Monday appearance on Fox News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration had taken steps to inform senior Democratic leaders about the strikes in advance, despite having no obligation to do so.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • To use the program, drivers can dial *347 (*FHP) to connect to a dispatcher who assesses if the crash is minor and eligible for a desk trooper.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2025
  • Out of multiple bills that passed both the Senate and House and were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, there are a handful expected to make a significant impact not only on the state but on Tarrant County.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Breslow addressed three areas of need in starting pitching, bullpen help and another bat for the lineup.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • So does the rage that accompanies it, and the need to not just forget the past but the temptation to erase yourself from the present.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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