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 The ship left Sihanoukville late Tuesday with only crew and other personnel on board, said Tang Sochetkresna, director of the Tourism Department of Preah Sihanouk province. — Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 The team will travel to the mainland to attend a funeral for De Miguel that García says tentatively will be Thursday in the central province of Toledo. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026 Founded in 2010 in Xiamen, Fujian province, Ms Min became one of the first Chinese designers to become a LVMH Prize semifinalist. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026 In the weeks following Putin’s partial mobilization, Zvyagintsev had got a call from an acquaintance, a successful businessman in the Russian provinces. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
Noun
  • Segovia scooped a lofted pass into the penalty area for Messi, who reached it between two defenders but wasn’t in position to send a header goalbound.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Adorable boutiques, vintage shops, and cafés are featured throughout the downtown area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • After 20 years as physical education department chair, Jurupa Valley’s flag football head coach Giselle Kendall is retiring.
    — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Critics have been literally flocking to speak publicly against the cameras, as city officials and police departments have held town halls in all of metro Atlanta’s four largest counties since August.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Across Connecticut well-wishers issued statements well out of the realm of any party politics, just two days before very significant midterm elections.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • ACOTARians couldn’t wait to get their hands on the newest installment of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series and return to the faerie realm of Prythian to catch up with the Archeron sisters.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Which public-domain classics are next on the slate, and is there a European-language classic that could lead in its own language instead of English?
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Enterprise environments span multiple technology domains and providers.
    — Dilip Kumar, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Japanese sweet potatoes have a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the spicy, crunchy elements of chaat.
    — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The family spent approximately $1,500 on dirt and ballfield materials and another $500 on indoor decorations, bringing the total for those elements to around $2,000.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The result could spur a global scramble to pump more oil as quickly as possible, leaving the kingdom fighting to win back market share when the conflict ends amid a glut and lower prices.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Undoubtedly, the biggest blow was the announcement that the kingdom is postponing its flagship investment conference, the Future Investment Initiative, until next year, although no exact date has been set.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The collaboration will see Thea Energy and MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) test a full-field, full-force planar encircling coil for the company’s Eos stellarator.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Despite a tough primary, Ford pulled out the win in the crowded field.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The shops and restaurants of the Aventura Mall are just a seven-minute walk away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • During our walk, Kewman and I came upon a flock of California quail beside the trail.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/province. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on province

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!