officer

noun

ˈä-fə-sər How to pronounce officer (audio)
Definition of officernext
1
as in policeman
a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level if you are ever lost, find the nearest officer and ask for help

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in official
a person who holds a public office an officer of the court

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 officer The chief said that officers on the scene found three children, aged five, eight, and 11, and a teacher dead. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 The chase continued north on Interstate 5 through Yolo, Colusa and Butte counties, where California Highway Patrol officers took over the pursuit. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Billboard co-chief content officer Leila Cobo will moderate a conversation about international touring with leaders including Live Nation’s Nidhish Varughese and OCESA’s Memo Parra. — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026 In a dizzying sequence of moves that saw Bela Bajaria ousted as chief content officer at Netflix and former Disney exec Rice parachuted into the job, question remained about Rice’s pivotal role in the 2028 Olympics suddenly being left open. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for officer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officer
  1. policeman
  2. official
  3. cop
  4. administrator
  5. constable
Noun
  • Hanuman inspires him to avenge the rape of his mother by a corrupt policeman working for a deceitful Hindu nationalist spiritual leader.
    — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • When plans were made for a visit to Japan by President Eisenhower in 1960—it was eventually called off—there weren’t enough policemen to guard his route into Tokyo, so the yakuza were mobilized to help.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of policeman
Noun
  • On Friday, the Justice Department followed up with a warning that state election officials who knowingly process ballots cast by noncitizen voters are at risk of investigation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The ongoing war in Iran has centered on nuclear issues, including enrichment—Iranian officials have resisted any peace-deal terms that restrict the country’s enrichment program.
    — Nick Bockelman, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of official
Noun
  • In January 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch changed the department pursuit policy, barring cops from chasing after vehicles fleeing car stops unless a felony crime or a violent misdemeanor was committed.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Even as a former cop, he was shocked by the state of the place.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of cop
Noun
  • Three days before the test, a hospital administrator from Southampton Hospital called to confirm the appointment and review the preparation instructions.
    — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The coaches, administrators, staff and athletes will have no affiliation with our colleges and universities but instead will be employed by their respective professional leagues.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of administrator
Noun
  • Jenna Ziviani, a constable at the police station, helped deliver Lyla while receiving guidance from an ambulance officer on the phone.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Thompson alerted a town administrator and special constable named Sherise Fountain, who went to investigate.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of constable

Phrases Containing officer

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officeholders
officer
officers
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Cite this Entry

“Officer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officer. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on officer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about officer

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