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 manufacturers of the Patriot missile systems have sent officials to Kyiv to discuss the idea, but results remain elusive. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

The event unfolded against the backdrop of scorching summer temperatures and wildfires, and Spanish officials rolled out a large public safety campaign. — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Adjective

One report indicates that several of the devices are installed in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and the company’s predecessor technology appears on an official New York state contract price list. — Nicole M. Bennett, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

After official review, Carrington’s foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2, and she was ejected from the game. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026