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 About 150 feet of roadway extends north from the entrance to the complex, suggesting that the facility supplied oil to the region, which included Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026 The trio were among 20 hikers who set out to ascend the 4,445-foot volcano in North Maluku province, in defiance of safety restrictions. Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 The Health Ministry said technical health teams will travel to Ushuaia in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province to capture and analyze rodents in areas linked to the route of the Dutch couple believed to have been exposed to the virus. Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 An outbreak with super-spreaders The 2018–2019 outbreak with 34 cases in the southern Chubut province of Argentina was fueled primarily by three super-spreader events. ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
Noun
  • Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.
    Sammy Duda, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • The mayor of the Los Angeles-area city of Arcadia will plead guilty to illegally acting as an agent of China and has resigned from her municipal position, officials said Monday.
    Andrew Blankstein, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • The vote requests that the department’s all-civilian watchdog adopt new guidelines similar to San Francisco, which bars police officers from pulling people over for broken taillights and other minor equipment violations unless there is a safety threat.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • This promotion puts him atop the Eagles’ scouting department.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • That’s not a question that most of us who work outside the realm of entertainment are used to hearing.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 11 May 2026
  • On the unscripted ledger, Peacock is entering the vertical video realm with a pair of shows featuring Bravo talent (or their offspring).
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Johnson has always been good at holding Wembanyama accountable in the public domain.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • In other competitive domains — such as with China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and in cybersecurity negotiations between Beijing and the Obama administration — agreements were ultimately reached that Washington believes in hindsight disadvantaged American companies.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • And the other really important element in this is, of course, the connection between Israel and the Jewish people.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • There's a gut-punching element of tragedy, too, as Loki kills his real father, Laufey (Colm Feore), then appears to plummet to his own death in the final act.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Years ago, a Saudi royal court official reprimanded me for describing the kingdom as a land of conditional opportunity.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 7 May 2026
  • Yet all around the struggling center of Ross’ kingdom is opulence, wealth, success.
    Greg Cote May 7, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • On the other side of the field, former Angel City Becki Tweed, who joined San Diego after the 2024 season, served as the interim coach for the Wave with coach Jonas Eidevall serving a one-game suspension.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 10 May 2026
  • And Joly’s ability to stick in Denver and compete with Engram in camp will ultimately come down to Payton’s trust in Joly as a blocker, as Engram was on the field in a blocking role for just 18% of his snaps in 2025.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Boone’s words proved prescient, as Weathers, just a tad trimmer, retired 13 straight Baltimore batters following a game-opening walk.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
  • Kyle Manzardo and Fry each had two hits for the Guardians, who drew a season-high 10 walks, including three by Rhys Hoskins.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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