Definition of provincenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word province distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of province are duty, function, and office. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

Where would duty be a reasonable alternative to province?

The words duty and province are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is function a more appropriate choice than province?

The meanings of function and province largely overlap; however, function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

When can office be used instead of province?

The synonyms office and province are sometimes interchangeable, but office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

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 province Saturday’s attack by the Rapid Support Forces occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026 The lighting on Friday will mark the conclusion of the Olympic flame’s journey, after 63 days across Italy passing through 60 cities and across 110 provinces. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026 Its provinces, including Albacete, form part of what is known as ’empty Spain’, given their inhabitants often move from the countryside to the big cities for work. Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Kelly is from Canada Gilles' husband is from Nova Scotia, a coastal province on Canada’s east coast. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
Noun
  • Detectives noted a consistent gait and distinctive walking pattern across videos captured before and after the shooting, including footage showing the suspect circling the area for hours and later walking away from the Barus & Holley building shortly after the gunfire.
    Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Prescott's downtown area adds the perfect southwest charm and history and was even the stomping grounds of famed cowboy Doc Holiday.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Nanos and the sheriff's department did not return requests for comment.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Although the department’s immigration push has been infused with tens of billions of dollars in funds from legislation Congress passed last year, a shutdown of operations could affect other parts of the department’s budget, including TSA and FEMA.
    Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • If multiple hypotheses work to explain the data equally well but one conflicts with reality in some other realm (and the other doesn’t), the one that’s valid across the widest range of applicability is superior.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • There are many arguments and ideas to bring more transparency, flexibility and consumer choice to the realm of drug pricing.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The domain of linguistics, for example, is being turned on its head.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • If possible, create your own domain.
    Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This constitutes the first clear proof-of-concept of organoids acting as adaptive computing elements.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The loss of track time in Barcelona, though, doesn’t leave Vowles concerned, particularly given the Mercedes engine element of the equation and the remaining six days of preseason testing that are to come in Bahrain later this month.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday a major investment package in Syria spanning energy, aviation, real estate and telecommunications, as the kingdom positions itself as a leading backer of Syria’s new leadership.
    Reuters, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Since then, Mukaab, a massive cuboid building, has been cancelled elsewhere in the kingdom due to cost concerns.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Maybe Romero was the perfect vice-captain under former head coach Ange Postecoglou because his fiery on-field persona balanced the calmness of Son Heung-min.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • For decades the old guard has held the line in the South, but the drumbeat of change grew like a fight song on a college football field.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Conveniently located in San Polo (a five-minute walk from Rialto, with a vaporetto stop nearby), this two-bedroom can sleep up to six and is brimming with character.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
  • For example, incorporate physical activity, like a walk or a fitness class, into time spent with friends.
    Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/province. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on province

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