roles

noun

variants also rôles
plural of role
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

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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 Throughout his career, Keach balanced his work in television and movies while continuing classical and Broadway stage performances, with Shakespearean roles including Hamlet, Henry V, Coriolanus, Falstaff, Macbeth, Richard III and King Lear. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 The openness to do different things, play in different roles, and at the same time keep the environment positive. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026 Years of background work, acting classes, plays and small film roles followed before 1923 gave him his breakthrough as Spencer Dutton, the adventurer at the heart of Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026 Alex Wong / Getty Images Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, has held leadership roles since 2014, serving as majority and minority whip before becoming majority leader in 2023. — Nikole Killion, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026 But the modern organization of economic life no longer requires children to perform those roles and the advent of welfare states has given the elderly other forms of support. — Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026 Pam served as the receptionist of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’s Scranton branch at the start of the series, but moved on to other roles like Sales Representative and Office Administrator as the show progressed. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026 Who’s running for second- and third-in-command leadership roles. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026 His experience includes accounting, medical device sales and business development roles with companies including Baxter, Cardinal Health and Quest Diagnostics. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roles
  1. tasks
  2. purposes
  3. jobs
  4. functions
  5. parts
  6. works
Noun
  • The researchers evaluated VFlash across several two-dimensional and three-dimensional robot trajectory prediction tasks.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • For these more demanding tasks, the K70 offers a full-coverage cleaning mode that tackles floors, walls, waterlines and slopes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of tasks
Noun
  • The need for such spacecraft will likely rise substantially in the future, as companies assemble giant megaconstellations for cell-phone communications, AI compute and other purposes.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The measure would have required a two-thirds majority to approve new or extended local taxes dedicated to specific purposes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of purposes
Noun
  • Eco effort The hotel has achieved the highest level of BREEAM certification for its sustainability performance and has brought 650 new jobs to the area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In August, Musk’s companies received a $30-million grant through a state program to build a semiconductor plant that is estimated to create 3,000 jobs, one of several cash infusions he’s received through state programs.
    — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of jobs
Noun
  • Autonomous functions include one-touch takeoff, route planning, flight control, and landing assistance.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Henge London, which is situated within walking distance of Harrods and fellow Italian design firms like Molteni & C, functions as a corporate space and hub for architects and clients from central and northern Europe.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of functions
Noun
  • The electric driveline also has fewer moving parts, which could simplify parts of the servicing routine.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • A week after record-breaking rains walloped parts of Palm Beach County, some communities are still flooded.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of parts
Noun
  • In addition to presenting works by company artists-in-residence, father and son Yanis and Yanis Eric Pikieris, Dimensions has brought in dance makers from across the United States, amplifying their reach and our perspective.
    — Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The slate of titles features award winners like Hamaguchi’s All Of A Sudden, which won Best Actress for its two leads at Cannes, alongside regional box-office hits, debut works by up-and-coming talents and new works by leading auteurs.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of works

Browse Nearby Words

role-plays
roles
roll
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roles. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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