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 Xaisomboun province, Laos — Hungry and weak, the Laos cave survivors huddled together in damp darkness for 11 days, clinging to hope as a wall of water blocked their way out. Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026 Just more than a week ago, the country was hit by its deadliest coal mine explosion in recent years, which killed at least 82 people in Shanxi province in the north. Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 Over 26 hours and 800 miles, this train trundles to the eastern city of Kars along the border with Armenia, unveiling the geographical marvels and dramatic vistas of Türkiye's Anatolian provinces. Monisha Rajesh, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026 The incident occurred in the city of Xiaogan in China's Hubei province, following days of heavy rain in the area, per the BBC. Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for province
Recent Examples of Synonyms for province
Noun
  • There's much more, but this is a taster of how much money and time the partnership divert back into the area.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Onsite voting for the June 2 California Primary is underway, however at least one voting station is being used as an emergency shelter and some ballot drop boxes in the Southland are closed in the immediate area.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, was employed by Ohio State’s athletic department and medical staff for nearly two decades.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • Mullin took over from former Secretary Kristi Noem in March after she was fired not long after lawmakers pressed her about the department’s massive spending.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • At some point these imaginary works pass into the realm of co-creation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
  • Instead, use binders in nature that can assemble natural materials into a future where Earth can digest the architectural realm.
    Marcella Baietto, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Research on fine art collections in wealthy families — another domain where the older generation controls the asset and the younger one will inherit the complications — found that roughly six in 10 collectors haven’t discussed their collections with their heirs at all.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026
  • That cycle will repeat across every enterprise use case until organizations treat AI deployment as a serious engineering and domain expertise challenge, not a demo.
    Praful Saklani, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Sabalenka, 28, at first seemed to cope well with the elements, showing signs of mild annoyance at 5-3 in the first set.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 3 June 2026
  • At the time, NASA was counting on the Falcon 9 to return its capability to launch humans, and today, NASA is counting on New Glenn as a key element of its lunar ambitions.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • While other rulers of the era relied on religious omens or superstition to guide their kingdoms, Aristotle taught the young prince that the universe could be understood through human reason and keen observation.
    Steve Muscato, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Ibn Khatima was perhaps in his late thirties when the pandemic reached the Nasrid kingdom of Granada in June 1348 (though the date of his birth is unclear).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • For example, the NHL did not include Russia in its 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, though Russia would arguably have one of the strongest rosters in the field.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
  • In addition to waiting out and acquiring Klint Kubiak as their head coach, the Raiders made some significant on-field acquisitions.
    Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • The Akker Brygge waterfront, with restaurants and bars, is a short walk away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Chris Hacopian drew a leadoff walk.
    Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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