WordValeombudsman
an official who investigates complaints against authorities
In more detail
1. (noun) an official whose job is to help people who have complaints about the government or other organizations
Examples
- 1. The ombudsman investigated the complaint about unfair treatment by the city office.
How to use ombudsman
An ombudsman is a formal, official position typically found in government and large institutions, tasked with investigating complaints and advocating for citizens' rights. The term is more specific and institutional than general synonyms like advocate or mediator, and typically implies an impartial, independent role. It is used in formal, bureaucratic contexts.
Common phrases
- ombudsman office
- appoint an ombudsman
- contact the ombudsman
- ombudsman investigation
- government ombudsman
- independent ombudsman
Synonyms
advocate · mediator · representative · intermediary · commissioner
Word family
ombudsperson · ombudsmen
A common mistake
The plural form ombudsmen can cause confusion; some use ombudsperson or ombudspeople as gender-neutral alternatives, but ombudsmen remains standard in most institutional usage.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD