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function

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verb

as in to serve
to have a certain purpose the heart functions as a pump for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word function distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of function are duty, office, and province. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

In what contexts can duty take the place of function?

Although the words duty and function have much in common, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is office a more appropriate choice than function?

While in some cases nearly identical to function, office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

When would province be a good substitute for function?

The words province and function can be used in similar contexts, but province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

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 function
Noun
Uniacke began her career restoring furniture and antiques, and is obsessive about the weight, feel and function of objects. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025 Combining creatine with nutrients like vitamin B12 may also help promote better overall energy and heart function. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
But, largely, the Phillies did not alter much about how their roster functioned. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 Unlike New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which functioned as a catch-all that allowed plaintiffs to sue virtually any individual or institution, the California statute was more tailored. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for function
Recent Examples of Synonyms for function
Noun
  • This is the fourth year of the event, and the additions of Steen, Jackman and Arbour will bring the number of players in the Hall of Fame to 20.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Featuring high-profile guests like Coco Jones, the annual DKMS gala is a fundraising event hosted by the international nonprofit organization with a mission to fight blood cancer.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In 2024, the department reported it was budgeted for 1,937 officers, but had a little over 1,600 positions filled.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Maybe that — combined with the steady growth of young defenders like Ashton Gillotte, Omarr Norman-Lott and Nohl Williams — will be enough to put KC back in position to lift its third Lombardi in four years.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And a lot of the pseudepigrapha, like the fake gospels and fake apocalypses, fill in gaps in the record that can serve latter-day, post-biblical purposes.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This particular challenge serves many purposes.
    Joe Boylan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Upon his return to Monaco, Wenden served as Chief of Staff and International Affairs Advisor to the President of the Conseil National de Monaco and Chargé de Mission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of Monaco, between 2007 and 2013.
    Olivier Wenden, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Every member of the CDC’s Washington office, which serves as a conduit between the agency’s Atlanta headquarters and Capitol Hill, was fired; barring a second round of reversals, that office appears to be closed.
    Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Young Republicans implicated in a scandal over racist, antisemitic and misogynistic comments in leaked chat messages reported by Politico face mounting calls to step down from their positions in party organizations.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), the fourth-largest party in the Lower House, ruled out forming a new coalition with the LDP.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • All of which begs the question, can—and should—Europe use the once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by decarbonization to reboot its own renewables supply chain, creating green jobs and sustainable wealth for the future?
    Andrew Saunders, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • After graduating from high school in 1971, Silvana Clark enrolled at a community college after receiving guidance from her drama teacher, George Meshke, who had taken a job there.
    NPR, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trump played a role of his own in applying pressure.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Some of the world’s most prominent business leaders started out in customer-facing roles.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many students have acted boldly, and occasionally made dumb mistakes, because they were outraged by historical wrongs, incendiary speakers, cultural stereotypes, or other provocations.
    Christopher L. Eisgruber, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • As for acting and producing, Gomez has won Emmys for Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in 2024’s Emilia Pérez.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/function. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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