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 Part of the range, including the impressive Three Peaks of Lavaredo, can be found in the South Tyrol province in northeastern Italy. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025 This reflected the taste of upper-class urbanites, but snails were still eaten in the eastern provinces of France. Garritt C. Van Dyk, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025 North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles from one of its eastern coastal provinces on Thursday as its state media reported the ship launch failure, South Korean defense officials said. Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 22 May 2025 What To Know The MCA, the sixth joint maritime activity between the United States and the Philippines and the second this year, took place off the country's western provinces of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine military said in a statement. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
Noun
  • Two projectiles reportedly hit the area around the airport.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 June 2025
  • Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 14, according to the Tribune’s archives.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • According to the lawsuit, Sevier, a Kansas City police officer, was working for the department’s traffic unit on Aug. 1, directing traffic for the concert at Manchester Trafficway and Interstate 70.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025
  • The focus on legal services in the current $42 million grant expands the department's support for housing stability and social services for veterans.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • This is a threat especially in the realm of SaaS, where credibility with technical users is currency and being deemed vaporware is a mortal sin.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The protagonist of this beguiling novel, Lina, lives with her father in a realm seemingly unbound by ordinary time.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Before entering the public domain, the book had already been turned into movies in 1926, 1949, 1974 (starring Robert Redford) and 2013 (directed by Baz Luhrmann) as well as several TV versions.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
  • The browser also blocked most of the domains associated with Yandex Metrica.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • By assessing population data, demographics and neighborhoods can be identified as lacking certain elements.
    FNU Anupama, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • The new customization center will incorporate renewable energy with built in energy-efficient design elements in lighting, water consumption and overall layout.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Furthermore, following President Trump’s recent visit, Saudi Arabian officials suggested that Tesla’s robotaxis could be introduced in the kingdom.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Powerless is set in the kingdom of Ilya where the Elites reign supreme with their breathtaking powers—and hunt those without.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, the Royals grounds crew raced to the field to put on the tarp.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
  • Eight women's college soccer, volleyball and track and field athletes have filed an appeal challenging the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • San Diegans Christopher and Clare Harrington, in a cheerier frame of mind, have devised a series of good walks enhanced.
    Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • Cole underwent the surgery about six months after a bizarre intentional walk to Devers, who is 9-for-33 in their matchups.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Province.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/province. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on province

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