as in officer
a person who holds a public office
some of our best public officials do their jobs quietly and are never in the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in authorized
ordered or allowed by those in authority
the official languages for those Olympic Games were French and English
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 official
Ryanne Mena, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Of the 13, Mexican officials said that includes six who died of medical complications, four from suicide, two during ICE operations and another in the shooting at the detention center in Dallas.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
There was physical contact made on Sunday night, but the official NCAA rulebook includes room for subjectivity in determining what type of contact warrants a technical foul.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for official
Noun
The latest death of a Mexican national while in ICE custody has prompted authorities in Mexico to demand answers about conditions inside a Southern California immigration detention center, Mexican consulate officials said Monday at a news conference.
—Ryanne Mena, Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Of the 13, Mexican officials said that includes six who died of medical complications, four from suicide, two during ICE operations and another in the shooting at the detention center in Dallas.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The change would take effect July 1, pending FAA approval, and would require official government records, including maps, to use the new name.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
There was physical contact made on Sunday night, but the official NCAA rulebook includes room for subjectivity in determining what type of contact warrants a technical foul.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for official
Recent Examples of Synonyms for official
Noun
-
Back in the day, only high ranking officers could ascend the staircase.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Two other people were present with him, but officers have not identified them and did not say they were detained.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the event of a dispute, entries will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The city is also 63 officers below its authorized budget.—
Brad Hamilton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Official.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/official. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
