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 Swinton won the the Academy Award in 2007 for her supporting role in Michael Clayton, and her many other credits include Orlando, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moonrise Kingdom, Uncut Gems and many others. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 This created yet another new role in the bookselling industry, the book jacket artist, and this new opportunity enrolled some of the most respected artists of the day, including, in Britain, Edward Ardizzone, Graham Sutherland and John Piper. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 Histamine plays a key role in these reactions, but its effects on the body go beyond seasonal allergies. — Lauren Finney Harden, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Snowmelt plays a much more important role in the Upper Basin, which receives more precipitation than the generally hotter, drier Lower Basin. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for role
Recent Examples of Synonyms for role
  1. purpose
  2. task
  3. job
  4. function
  5. part
Noun
  • Its purpose is to help eliminate malignant cells that may remain after surgery, reducing the chance of another tumor taking hold.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The decor nods to her career without losing sight of the hotel’s purpose as a place to unwind after a day exploring Music City.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Once again, if Tesla were bringing already big and fast-rising profits to the table, the task wouldn’t be nearly as difficult.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, al-Ali held several meetings with Saudi officers at the Defense Ministry in Riyadh to discuss the costs of transferring around 10,000 fighters, financial arrangements, additional benefits and their intended military tasks.
    — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of task
Noun
  • Our job, before and after AI, is building safe and useful products for human beings, and engineers are still best suited for that.
    — Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Commission’s sovereignty framework considers the extent to which investment, jobs and value creation remain within the EU and European Economic Area.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • To make the critical materials list, a nonfuel mineral element or substance must serve an essential function in one or more energy technologies and there must be a high risk of disruption to the supply chain.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • What matters for the trade is what happens once the same recursion moves out of engineering and into every other function.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of function
Noun
  • Such calculations are part of a wider effort to understand why molecular simulations remain challenging.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Valkyries president says self-care is a non-negotiable Smith doesn’t compartmentalize the professional and personal parts of her life.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of part

Phrases Containing role

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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 28 Oct. 2026.

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