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 Johnson, who has been in office since May 2023, said homicides were down 30% last year and there was also a 34% decrease in drug overdoses. Tony Dokoupil, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026 Still, hitting the homes and offices of regime leaders would send a message, according to Layton. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026 Things quickly take a turn as a group of thieves break into their office, prompting Zara and Luke to carry out their orders, which includes stealing pensions. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026 Universal Music Group, with its corporate headquarters in the Netherlands and another office in Santa Monica, was founded in 1996. Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • That’s especially true when there’s so much on-sale stylishness in Amazon’s discounted shoe department.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The group of cops quickly loses trust in each other as word of the department seizing such a large amount of money spreads.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The two attorneys made a slew of arguments to defend their position, including that the pair of lawmakers did not have legal standing to bring a suit related to their official duties in the first place.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
  • An off-duty Naperville police officer witnessed the crash and pulled the driver out of the Tesla.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Pittman’s father contacted the FBI Saturday and told the agency his son had confessed to setting the building on fire, says the complaint.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The agency framed the waiver as a security measure rather than a consumer restriction.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Bison have carried their stories, teachings, and responsibilities for centuries.
    Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • By 2030, the company expects Atlas to take on more complex responsibilities, including repetitive and heavy-load assembly work.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ritter, whose tourism bureau Visit Lauderdale has sponsored the festival since 2023, agrees.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Attackers may pose as the healthcare provider, an insurer or a credit bureau.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Due to Brigham’s indefinite incarceration and inability to earn an income, Taylor is seeking a lump-sum child support payment from his estate to satisfy his monthly obligation until the child graduates from high school or turns 18.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The commission also emphasized that Verizon’s stricter unlocking obligations never applied industry-wide.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to his work at the anchor desk, viewers also took issue with Dokoupil's coverage of the deadly ICE shooting of a woman in Minnesota.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk.
    Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Wakeland will provide a case manager and activities coordinator, with services tailored to individual needs on a voluntary basis.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Depending on your space, heating needs, and comfort levels, a space heater can be an efficient heat source.
    Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on office

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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