OFFICE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

office

noun

ˈä-fəs

Definition of office

as in department

a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization the company's main office is in Atlanta

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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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 Mosser has not come to the negotiating table just yet, but Richardson says his office is determined to fix a wrong. — CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The two progressive, politically powerful unions helped carry Mayor Brandon Johnson into office. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Shays had held the seat for 21 years, but Himes won at the same time that Democrat Barack Obama swept into office with a huge turnout in Bridgeport and other communities. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026 In fact, so political has Tafoya gotten in her hometown of Edina, an upscale Twin Cities suburb, that many people were shocked the 61-year-old didn’t take a run at public office earlier. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for office

Recent Examples of Synonyms for office

Noun

The department said the suspect remained at the scene and was taken into custody.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Her hiring came after allegations of a toxic and abusive culture within the department surfaced in a 2020 lawsuit filed by Jennifer Conviser, a sport psychologist who had consulted with DePaul’s athletic department from 2005 to 2018.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of department

Noun

The duties cover products including alcohol, dairy goods, cement and even the humble hockey stick.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Among them, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand opted against taking what was effectively a demotion, with play-calling duties going to a more veteran coach (eventually, Frank Reich), and left, too.

— Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

But the agency’s independent vaccine advisers unanimously voted in June that the new vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks.

— Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Bill Flood, a spokesman for DEEP, said the agency decided to commission a new population survey to help inform its ongoing conservation efforts and its work to mitigate conflicts between people and bears.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of agency

Noun

Payton has talked routinely in camp about Coleman being further along than other first-year backs in his ability to grasp pass-protection responsibilities.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Wilson Tamfuh, a public and international law professor at the University of Dschang in West Cameroon, said the country has institutions that can keep the government running when the president delegates responsibilities.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of responsibility

Noun

Gutman was named in a lawsuit filed by Samira Said, who worked as a field producer for ABC News in its Los Angeles bureau from May 2021 until March 2025.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Gutman, 48, is listed as a defendant, along with ABC, Disney and ABC News bureau chief David Herndon.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of bureau

Noun

When serious concerns involving district operations and oversight are raised, the Board has an obligation to investigate them thoroughly, carefully consider the findings and act in the best long-term interest of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
The Times reported that the original deals for the top creatives included zero obligations for a sequel.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligation

Noun

Louis Vuitton’s La Fabrique du Temps workshop in Switzerland developed a removable mechanical timepiece inspired by the Tambour watch that can be taken from the car and used as a desk clock.

— Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Back at the desk, the core snaps magnetically into the shell to function like a traditional, palm-filling ergonomic mouse.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of desk

Noun

The Ravens, however, have consistently supported Loop and downplayed the need to bring in another kicker.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Guests with specific needs can coordinate directly with the front desk, which will handle any request with genuine care.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Cite this Entry

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“Office.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/office. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of office

noun

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