as in officers
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
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Recent Examples of officials
Former Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing because the Biden administration did not send any diplomatic officials as a boycott over human rights concerns.
—
Michelle L. Price The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
In a Wednesday letter to Republican leaders, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded that a judicial warrant be required in order for Department of Homeland Security officials to enter private property.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
An explosion was reported at a metal fabricating plant on Thursday night in Pennsylvania, according to officials.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The process for deciding on Powell’s replacement began in September with an 11-candidate field that included past and current Fed officials, economists and Wall Street investment professionals.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Michelle L. Price The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
In a Wednesday letter to Republican leaders, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded that a judicial warrant be required in order for Department of Homeland Security officials to enter private property.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
An explosion was reported at a metal fabricating plant on Thursday night in Pennsylvania, according to officials.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The process for deciding on Powell’s replacement began in September with an 11-candidate field that included past and current Fed officials, economists and Wall Street investment professionals.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officials
Noun
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If your complaint is accepted by the authority, an investigator will determine whether any laws, policies or procedures were broken by officers.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
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Metropolitan Police officers searched Mandelson's London home and another property linked to him on Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Wayne Township also offers a three-year apprenticeship program, and administrators are pursuing virtual work opportunities for students for whom transportation could be a barrier.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
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School administrators are preparing for immigration-enforcement operations at pickup and drop-off.—
Yvonne Wingett Sanchez,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Officials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officials. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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