Synonyms of official

official 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈfi-shəl 

as in officer

a person who holds a public office

some of our best public officials do their jobs quietly and are never in the news

Synonyms & Similar Words

• officer
• administrator
• director
• manager
• executive
• functionary
• commissioner
• public servant
• officeholder
• chair
• chairman
• superintendent
• supervisor
• bureaucrat
• regulator
• head
• minion
• flunky
• underling
• co-official

official

2 of 2

adjective

as in authorized

ordered or allowed by those in authority

the official languages for those Olympic Games were French and English

Synonyms & Similar Words

• authorized
• legitimate
• promoted
• legal
• lawful
• sanctioned
• suggested
• authoritative
• supported
• approved
• endorsed
• licensed
• regulation
• permissible
• certified
• legit
• canonical
• semiofficial
• licit
• encouraged
• abetted
• ex officio

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unofficial
• unauthorized
• illegal
• unlawful
• nonofficial
• wrongful
• illicit
• unsanctioned
• illegitimate
• impermissible
• lawless
• unlicensed
• unapproved
• verboten

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of official

Noun

The need for Judge to get back into playing condition — get his legs under him, to use the common terminology — is why some Yankees officials surely preferred him to go on a rehabilitation assignment. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Representatives from four Department of Energy offices and defense officials joined leaders from energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors at the event. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The robot’s official unveiling is expected near production, while the next-generation model’s design and scale will depend on field experience. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

The project carries the official blessing of Baker’s sons Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Baker, along with the Rainbow tribe. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026