Synonyms

good offices

American

plural noun

influence, especially with a person in a position of power.

He got the job through the good offices of his uncle.
services rendered by a mediator in a dispute.

Etymology

Origin of good offices

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ambassador Zhang Jun, a close Russian ally, said Beijing subscribes to Guterres’ view that even the most intractable issues can be solved by diplomacy and supports “his good offices aimed at reducing tensions.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2022

Dujarric said the secretary-general also wants the Venezuelan people to understand “that his good offices remain available should both sides request them.”

From Fox News • Apr. 30, 2019

For his good offices, Kennedy asked to be named ambassador to the Court of St. James’s. Roosevelt reportedly laughed at the thought: No one was less diplomatic than Joe Kennedy.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2016

Supreme Court ruling, calling on the Secretary-General to use his "good offices in order to induce the U.S. Government to adhere to its international obligations."

From Reuters • Apr. 29, 2016

Finally, he embarked on a number of prolonged trips to Mecca and the newly independent African states through the good offices of the representatives of the Arab League in the United States.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023