role

noun

ˈrōl How to pronounce role (audio)
variants also rôle
Definition of rolenext
as in purpose
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists studying the role of sunlight in the body's production of vitamin D

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 role But unlike the best of Ferrell’s earlier roles, Hawkins’s eccentricities feel like surface-level strangeness, connected to nothing surprising or soulful underneath. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026 Soprano Michelle Allie Drever sings the title role, while tenor Maxwell Ary is Ruggero, the object of her conflicted affections. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026 Our latest global research survey found that nearly 9 in 10 customer experience leaders expect service roles to look significantly different in the next three years because of AI. — Tony Bates, Fortune, 16 July 2026 In her role at Helium, Taran will lead efforts to source new opportunities, evaluate concepts, and develop strategic partnerships. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for role
Recent Examples of Synonyms for role
  1. purpose
  2. task
  3. job
  4. function
  5. part
Noun
  • Also, as open-source models, developers can download the models for free and tweak them to suit their own purposes.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 July 2026
  • And then it is found, resulting in a tug-of-war to retain and use it for very different reasons and purposes.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Deploying the largest military machine in history is the most serious task faced by the United States’ commander-in-chief.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • This makes the task of dealing with the impact of climate, health and price shocks that much harder and risks further exacerbating or accelerating individual drivers.
    — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of task
Noun
  • Felicia Schlafer received tickets to the USA Dream Team basketball game through her job.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Excellent job, acknowledges both her physical transformation and that her mouth can get her into more trouble than mine does at the underwear party in Fire Island.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • The local radio station, RadioNikopol, has added a function to its app allowing anyone who spots a drone to quickly report it to the station.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Testosterone in females is important for ovarian function, libido and bone and muscle health as well.
    — Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of function
Noun
  • Occasional spikiness has always been a part of his personality.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The blaze at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar, the city’s deadliest in 17 years, broke out late Sunday in a northern part of the Thai capital.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of part

Phrases Containing role

Browse Nearby Words

roisters
role
role model
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Role.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/role. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on role

Nglish: Translation of role for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about role

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of raffish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All