Definition of officiousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective officious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of officious are impertinent, intrusive, meddlesome, and obtrusive. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

When is it sensible to use impertinent instead of officious?

The words impertinent and officious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When can intrusive be used instead of officious?

Although the words intrusive and officious have much in common, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Where would meddlesome be a reasonable alternative to officious?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and officious are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When could obtrusive be used to replace officious?

The meanings of obtrusive and officious largely overlap; however, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

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 officious Lee will play Maya, the officious Chief of Staff for the Governor of Oklahoma. Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 May 2026 Her Southern accent is slightly clipped and officious, the type of drawl that’s a stamp of a suburban upbringing. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026 The former is the nerdier, more officious type in his bow tie and sport coat, the latter more rakish, a one-time rabble rouser who’s just happy to have something interesting to do. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 Fast & Furious is notable for adding the character Gisele (Gal Gadot) and smaller players like Shea Whigham's officious Stasiak. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for officious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officious
Adjective
  • The tribe wants to build a travel center on the land along a busy highway on Long Island.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Because Saturday is typically the busiest day for car sales, most dealerships remain open then and close on Sundays instead.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Even Karp’s more intelligible arguments are quickly trampled over as additional intrusive thoughts took the wheel.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 July 2026
  • Before being diagnosed with OCD in the spring of 2024, Lederer had spent years believing many of her intrusive thoughts were uniquely hers.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder).
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This new version of the 1080p streaming stick has a smaller design — both in terms of width and volume — so its less obtrusive in a TVs HDMI port.
    John Higgins, The Verge, 23 June 2026
  • The service Smart, knowledgable, and friendly without being obtrusive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This is a realm of exposition-heavy opening credits, relentlessly earwormy theme tunes, and heroes who, for no obvious reason, choose to hang out with cute/annoying [delete as appropriate] comedy sidekicks like Orko and Snarf.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
  • This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Officious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officious. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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