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
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as in authorized
ordered or allowed by those in authority
the official languages for those Olympic Games were French and English
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of official
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
The union recently banned a high-profile agent, Jim Murray, for back-channeling with MLB officials during labor negotiations.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Andrew's alleged sharing of sensitive information while in his official capacity as trade envoy may not only constitute a breach of protocol but has also spurred calls for an official investigation into whether or not his previous actions constitute criminal corruption.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for official
Noun
Four other former military and police officials received sentences of between 3 and 18 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
The union recently banned a high-profile agent, Jim Murray, for back-channeling with MLB officials during labor negotiations.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
That's the official trio nickname for Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito, the figure skaters representing Team USA in the individual women's competition.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Andrew's alleged sharing of sensitive information while in his official capacity as trade envoy may not only constitute a breach of protocol but has also spurred calls for an official investigation into whether or not his previous actions constitute criminal corruption.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for official
Recent Examples of Synonyms for official
Noun
-
Authorities carved paths through the deep snow to eventually continue the search, and California Highway Patrol officers found the ninth victim.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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The officers pursued the suspects until the 3100 block of Well Springs Drive.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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People at the scene pleaded with the agents to allow the five-year-old to go with authorized staff from Columbia Heights schools, where Liam attended pre-kindergarten classes.—
Alessandra Schade,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
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The move expands authorized activities in Venezuela’s oil sector and reflects a broader recalibration of sanctions policy.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Official.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/official. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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