officious

adjective

ə-ˈfi-shəs How to pronounce officious (audio)
Definition of officiousnext
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited an officious little man who was always telling everyone else how to do their jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023 Cronenberg, in turn, has maintained a cool contempt for officious pundits and their agendas. — Adam Nayman, The New Yorker, 3 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for officious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for officious
  1. busy
  2. intrusive
  3. meddlesome
  4. obtrusive
  5. annoying
Adjective
  • The system would also allow the city to change rates on weekends or during the busy season.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Frankfurt Airport is considered Germany’s busiest in terms of the volume of passengers.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of busy
Adjective
  • The flight attendant was attentive without being intrusive, handling meal service and smaller requests in an efficient but friendly manner that made the overnight crossing feel personalized rather than just riding in a comfortable space.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Medvedev, 30, is having the kind of season that might drive a player toward intrusive, existential thoughts — even before considering the fact that he is predisposed to them like few sports stars are.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intrusive
Adjective
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of meddlesome
Adjective
  • To that end, players of Belmira’s City by Michael Heizer [Free Version], which anyone can try by clicking here, must start behind an intentionally obtrusive no-trespassing fence.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But for some people, sweating too much becomes downright obtrusive, stressful and even embarrassing.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of obtrusive
Adjective
  • Adults’s Gen-Z characters tend to see their comforts as transient, their identities as mutable, and seriousness as an annoying obligation, all of which the second season pokes at a bit.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Fluctuating estrogen levels can disrupt the nerves responsible for your sense of scent, leading to this symptom that’s equally bizarre and annoying.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying

Browse Nearby Words

officinal
officious
officiousness
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Cite this Entry

“Officious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/officious. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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