variants
also rôles
as in tasks
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 roles
Other key Yoon allies have already been prosecuted for their roles in the martial law decree.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The two homegrown right-handers might someday be more than depth starters, but with six other healthy starters in camp this spring and only one of them — Nolan McLean — having any minor league options, Scott and Tong are slated for depth roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In the one-woman play, Erivo portrays several roles, including the titular vampire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Fan favorites Darcy Rose Byrnes and Jess Harnell reprise their roles as Princess Amber and Cedric.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
As of April 2025, there were at least 21 former lobbyists who were appointed to key leadership roles in the government, according to a report by the Campaign Legal Center.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Even so, our roles and relationships remained defined by the hierarchy of family.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
In a world where workplaces and roles are constantly evolving, adaptability and range aren’t a risk.
—Ashley Herd, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The two homegrown right-handers might someday be more than depth starters, but with six other healthy starters in camp this spring and only one of them — Nolan McLean — having any minor league options, Scott and Tong are slated for depth roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In the one-woman play, Erivo portrays several roles, including the titular vampire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Fan favorites Darcy Rose Byrnes and Jess Harnell reprise their roles as Princess Amber and Cedric.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
As of April 2025, there were at least 21 former lobbyists who were appointed to key leadership roles in the government, according to a report by the Campaign Legal Center.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Even so, our roles and relationships remained defined by the hierarchy of family.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
In a world where workplaces and roles are constantly evolving, adaptability and range aren’t a risk.
—Ashley Herd, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roles
Noun
-
Teaching a robot to perform daily tasks Researchers highlighted that teaching a robot to perform daily tasks remains one of the great challenges in robotics.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Save your pickiest, most problematic tasks for days with strong, above-zero stars.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
To remedy this, Wood recommends glass containers for storage purposes.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This location is situated closely to many thousands of jobs that could reside within walking distance or short bus ride of apartments, condos, townhouses and single-family homes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
This is especially true for couples who live together and work demanding jobs; the cycle of work, home, sleep and repeat can become monotonous over time.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The New Mexico measure prohibits state and local government contracts for ICE detention facilities and bars agreements that allow local law officers to carry out federal immigration functions.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Osmond and her sisters have variations on a gene that affects receptors for glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter with many functions throughout the brain.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In other parts of the country, popular anger is bubbling to the surface.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The interceptor serves parts of Virginia and Maryland.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Today the city’s casinos, banks, and skyscrapers include works by many top contemporary architects.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
15 Feb. 2026
-
On Main Street, Majestic Repertory Theatre offers a distinctly different experience, combining a professional theater presence with bold, high-energy plays, musicals, and original works known for inventive set design, immersive elements, and a playful, sometimes provocative, approach.—
Mackenzie Jervis,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roles. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
