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
Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke one condition of anonymity.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
There was physical contact made on Sunday night, but the official NCAA rulebook includes room for subjectivity in determining what type of contact warrants a technical foul.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for official
Noun
Eleven students were evaluated after pepper spray was discharged on a Baltimore County school bus Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
—Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke one condition of anonymity.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The change would take effect July 1, pending FAA approval, and would require official government records, including maps, to use the new name.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
There was physical contact made on Sunday night, but the official NCAA rulebook includes room for subjectivity in determining what type of contact warrants a technical foul.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for official
Recent Examples of Synonyms for official
Noun
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He is expected to survive and was identified as 68-year-old William Brumley of Vallejo, officers said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Then, police say, Shipp got a hold of an officer’s pepper spray but wasn’t able to use it.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick after securing a ticket from an authorized lottery retailer.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
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The next step is to arrange an in-person appointment at an authorized enrollment center.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Official.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/official. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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