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 Some employees reject return-to-office mandates Jasmine Tucker, vice president of research at the National Women’s Law Center, said return-to-office mandates amid high caregiving costs disproportionately drove women to leave the labor force. Rachel Barber, USA Today, 9 July 2026 Occhiuto’s office provided the AP with a photo of him meeting Hammer. ABC News, 9 July 2026 And somebody in the group asked him—what was the secret of success running for office, a federal office, in a purple area? David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 Inspectors found a live roach by the mop sink area near the office. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
Noun
  • The department said the tragedy is an important reminder to drivers to always make sure children are not left in cars, especially in hot weather.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
  • Additional details are expected to be released on Monday, the department said.
    Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • His passion for politics began at a young age and stemmed from his father who served in the Army and imparted values about duty and service.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • Still, politicians require more scrutiny than most − particularly when their health directly impacts their ability to perform their duties.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • The impact also is big for the nonprofits, many of which are smaller agencies that offer services for specific populations.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • Professional groups representing cancer researchers, civil engineers, county governments, medical schools, housing agencies, city and municipal governments, nonprofits and others have publicly expressed concerns about potential consequences.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Tech companies like Meta and YouTube are shielded from legal responsibility for content posted by third parties, based on Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • However, the responsibilities of leading a large constitutional office required me to balance my schedule, including senior leadership meetings held on Tuesday mornings that often conflicted with BCC meetings.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Offers three credit bureau monitoring, VPN, dark web monitoring, password manager, email aliases and instant credit lock.
    Brian Sloan,Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • According to the bureau, which is conducting the investigation, the National Guard soldiers involved in the shooting are assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Then, in 2012, redevelopment agencies were dissolved by the state and their obligations transferred to successor agencies.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • Without a coordinated strategy, the cumulative risk can become significant even if each individual's obligation seems manageable.
    Blake Harris, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • There was a sizable conference room with at least four light tan leather captains chairs around a square desk, and a large TV on one wall.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • In the span of a week, the phone spent time on my desk, in my kitchen, at dinner parties, and in meetings with a contractor.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • All of this spells the need for clear rules and for lawmakers and law enforcement to catch up with this rapidly changing transportation.
    Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • But when Erik Spoelstra is strategizing, the needs of Nikola Jovic, for better or worse, are not going to be at the top of the organizational process.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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