role

noun

ˈrōl How to pronounce role (audio)
variants also rôle
Definition of rolenext
as in purpose
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists studying the role of sunlight in the body's production of vitamin D

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 role That perspective carried over into her leadership roles at UTLC ERA, a major railway company operating across Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. — Connie Etemadi, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Deadline’s Dish article noted that no specific role had been identified and talks were mainly hypothetical, coming before official confirmation of Season 3, which followed as the final Edinburgh TV Festival started last week. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 Mattfeld is excellent in what could easily have been a thankless role, playing Ricky with the mien of someone who is always holding it together, years of disappointment and condescension and expectation keeping her eyes worried and jaw tight. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 The Romanian Orthodox Church is a powerful institution that plays a central role in many people’s lives. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for role
Recent Examples of Synonyms for role
  1. purpose
  2. task
  3. job
  4. function
  5. part
Noun
  • By the end of Saturday night, the sanctuary had served two purposes at once.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Chevy provided The Drive with travel, accommodations, and access to the vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Mice treated with the grafts also did better on tasks testing their memory and spatial learning.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • While living in Dublin, the Holbrookes are assigned to a kind of social worker (Domhnall Gleeson) whose task is to separate them bit by bit.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of task
Noun
  • In April, Flock Safety opened a 97,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Smyrna that is intended to create more than 200 jobs over the next three years as part of a $10 million investment.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Giants are entrusting Bryce Eldridge, their 21-year-old rookie, with the job of protecting Devers in the lineup.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • If anything, the auto-playing dialogue functions a bit too fast, occasionally cutting off lines before the excellent voice talent can finish their deliveries.
    — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The exhibit’s lessons in anatomy include explanations of bodily functions and why, for example, one lung is larger than the other in humans.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of function
Noun
  • This article is part of the Business of Influence series, examining the inner workings of content creation and how the industry is set to change in the years to come.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These folks include my sister, two brothers and a beloved SIL, all who’ve been a loving part of our 41-year-old’s life since birth.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of part

Phrases Containing role

Browse Nearby Words

roisters
role
role model
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Cite this Entry

“Role.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/role. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on role

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about role

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