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 An explosion and ensuing fire at a shipyard in eastern Fujian province in August killed one fire and rescue worker and injured 12 others, according to state media. CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak’s epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing. ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 The 11th-century temple complex is still in danger due to last year’s damage, with a fear of possible new incidents in the border region in Preah Vihear province. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Anthropic declined to submit its latest model for testing to a top British AI safety institute, sparking fears in the UK that reviews of frontier AI would become the sole province of Washington. Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
Noun
  • The rain could trigger flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The encouraging part for Liverpool is that Brughmans already has the physical tools to improve in this area, most notably a pair of enormous hands.
    Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At one point in the third quarter of South Carolina’s shutout win, athletic director Jeremiah Donati and other athletic department staffers were handing out free water bottles to fans.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • States are passing laws requiring their education departments to create such guidance; Maryland, Idaho, Oklahoma and Virginia all added new laws this year, reported K-12 Dive.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Consider Einstein's iconic theory of gravity, general relativity, and the elusive realm of quantum mechanics.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Garmin Vivoactive 5 Deal Oh, Garmin—a royal name in the fitness and health tracking realm.
    Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The real tragedy of the film occurs not in the domain of love, but of family.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
  • So fall travel has historically been the domain of empty-nesters, young couples without dependents, parents bringing along adult children (or vice versa), friend groups, and solo adventurers.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The third-year wide receiver brings such a different element to the New York offense.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Both pairs were wise choices for the colder Telluride weather, keeping both parties’ feet warm and dry, protected from the elements.
    Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In the days since, a flood of deals have been announced to bring Chinese robotaxis, laptops, AI models, and data centers to the kingdom — while putting the competition for tech dominance between China and the US into stark relief.
    Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The king arbitrarily gives up his power and divides his kingdom among his children.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Colonizers call it voluntary emigration, but there is nothing voluntary about fleeing after your home has been bombed, your fields poisoned, your water cut off and your child buried.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Before the Bills made this decision, NFL field director Nick Pappas wanted to meet with the Highmark Stadium grounds crew to see the field for himself.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The parasol Jepsen brings on our walk is the same shade, as is her engagement ring, as are her eyes and some of her French-tip nails.
    Katie Heaney, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
  • From there, a 10-minute walk along the area’s main avenue, Travessera Les Corts, brings you to a succession of bars sitting in the shadow of the stadium.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/province. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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