office

Synonym Chooser

How is the word office distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of office are duty, function, and province. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," 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

In what contexts can duty take the place of office?

While the synonyms duty and office are close in meaning, 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 it sensible to use function instead of office?

While in some cases nearly identical to office, 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 could province be used to replace office?

The meanings of province and office largely overlap; however, 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

Examples of office in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yes, but: Clearly, working on your own at home is a more lonely experience than being in an office. Emily Peck, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 But some states observe it as a holiday, closing state offices on the date, including New York, Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, and at least eight others. Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024 There’s also a cigar room, two offices, a large swimming pool out back, and a separate tower with a rooftop telescope that Jacobs used to use to gaze at the skies. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2024 Normally, the top benefit amount is $350 a week, among the lowest in the nation, Cooper’s office said in a statement. Tami Luhby, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for office 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'office.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near office

Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on office

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