office

noun

ˈä-fəs How to pronounce office (audio)
Definition of officenext
1
as in department
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the company's main office is in Atlanta

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in duty
something one must do because of prior agreement one of the chief offices of a friend is to be there in someone's hour of need

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 office The 30,000-square-foot building, planned for 350 S. Water St., will include parking, office space, and a rooftop with indoor and outdoor amenities. —Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025 Legal Advice Clinic for Veterans: The Seminole County Legal Aid office hosts a free monthly legal advice clinic for veterans to get legal assistance with family law and housing law matters. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 July 2025 The stabbing took place at the office of the property development company Trademark Group, run by Terry in South London. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 30 July 2025 First Steps taking charge of the box office for a while. —Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for office
Recent Examples of Synonyms for office
  1. department
  2. duty
  3. agency
  4. responsibility
  5. bureau
  6. obligation
  7. desk
  8. need
Noun
  • Refugee screening clinic: The department is slowly winding down.
    — Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
  • The department uses a Rural Mail Carrier Survey to track Ohio’s rabbit population, which involves distributing survey cards to all postmasters across the state, who then give the cards to the carriers delivering mail on rural routes.
    — Emma Wozniak, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
Definition of department
Noun
  • Units that handle training would be most affected by Davis’ plan, which calls for 14 officers at the Police Academy to be moved to patrol duty.
    — Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025
  • The health issue prevented Sanders from returning to Boulder to start his preseason coaching duties with the Buffaloes.
    — Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of duty
Noun
  • But Consider This: Even as global outrage and assistance grows, aid agencies say only a total ceasefire will allow all the necessary aid in to get to those who desperately need it in Gaza.
    — July 28, NPR, 28 July 2025
  • Crowley’s last big USAID contract ran out last year, so he wasn’t hurt when the Trump administration killed the aid agency and most of its programs.
    — Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of agency
Noun
  • Women: 'Plan to destroy Oak Flat will devastate me and my people' Traditionally in Indian Country, women are given the responsibility to pass cultural teachings to the next generation.
    — Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 30 July 2025
  • Causes of youth homelessness include family breakdowns, evictions, and cultural beliefs about parental responsibility ending at age 18.
    — Ethan Hylton, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
Definition of responsibility
Noun
  • Burns will continue to serve as Politico’s White House bureau chief and Playbook’s chief correspondent, and as host of the weekly Politico podcast, The Conversation.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 July 2025
  • To date, the laboratory has received about 3,345 avian influenza samples for testing, according to Dan Salmi, the laboratory bureau chief.
    — Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2025
Definition of bureau
Noun
  • The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, which went into effect in July, creates transparency and disclosure obligations on the collection of consumer data.
    — Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • James said the obligation brands and retailers would be subject to under the new law don’t infringe on NRF members’ First Amendment rights.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 29 July 2025
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • The overhead pendant light gives off a warm, ambient glow, and the desk lamp adds a pop of color in addition to focused lighting for reading and studying.
    — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 29 July 2025
  • No, that’s the reason why Pam Bondi said in February, this is on my desk.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 July 2025
Definition of desk
Noun
  • The Smithsonian acknowledged the need for a comprehensive update of its presidential impeachment exhibit.
    — Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
  • To the best of your ability and as much as your space allows, find a home for each piece of clothing that makes sense for its individual needs.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of need

Browse Nearby Words

offhandedness
office
officeholder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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