Definition of officiousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective officious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of officious are impertinent, intrusive, meddlesome, and obtrusive. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

When is it sensible to use impertinent instead of officious?

The words impertinent and officious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When can intrusive be used instead of officious?

Although the words intrusive and officious have much in common, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Where would meddlesome be a reasonable alternative to officious?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and officious are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When could obtrusive be used to replace officious?

The meanings of obtrusive and officious largely overlap; however, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

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 officious There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023 Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023 Cronenberg, in turn, has maintained a cool contempt for officious pundits and their agendas. Adam Nayman, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022 As her avenging brother, Laertes, the tenor David Butt Philip is ardent; as her officious father, Polonius, the tenor William Burden avoids caricature. New York Times, 15 May 2022 See All Example Sentences for officious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officious
Adjective
  • Visitors from around the world now regularly stop in, and Cook says that drag in her hometown has never been busier.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • From a viral sand cat to an airport explosives arrest, the Sacramento region saw a busy stretch of news in early June.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Poor reputation likely stems from a combination of the chemical’s greasy feel, intrusive smell and name, which is similar to DDT.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
  • Pauses present not only a greater risk of intrusive thoughts, but also a greater opportunity to recalibrate after the hyper-arousal state of playing a point at full intensity, or experiencing the emotional high or low of winning a set or having their serve broken.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • God, would no one rid me of this meddlesome radiologist?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder).
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The service Smart, knowledgable, and friendly without being obtrusive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The big drawback is the fact that the machine is obtrusive, awkward, and decidedly unsexy.
    Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • He-Man was now a jolly, quip-ready hero, whose best friends were scaredy-cat Cringer (a green-and-yellow tiger who transformed into Battle Cat), and an annoying, hovering magician called Orko.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 June 2026
  • Why Microsoft passkeys may feel confusing at first Security upgrades can be annoying.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Officious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officious. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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