FUNCTION Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

function 1 of 2

noun

ˈfəŋ(k)-shən

Definition of function

as in event

a social gathering made a brief appearance at the annual holiday function

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in position

an assignment at which one regularly works for pay what's your function in this company?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in role

the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists that machine's function is to sort bolts by size

Synonyms & Similar Words

function

2 of 2

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

Federal officials say the domains were hard-coded into the malware and used for essential functions, including communication and authentication. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 What’s Happening The Bristol Stool Scale, developed in 1997, classifies stool into seven forms, ranging from small hard pellets to watery diarrhea, and functions as a standard diagnostic tool in gastroenterology. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Ojai pushes that behavior further, functioning as a private mobile office or green room in a city where transportation and entertainment are intertwined. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 In the future, this innovation could be used to build devices and robots that function without conventional batteries and motors. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for function

Recent Examples of Synonyms for function

Noun

August's payrolls report, out Friday, will be the main event for economic data.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
At one of the first promotional events, Bullock briefly chatted about her time on the Miss Congeniality franchise.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

There isn’t room on a roster to list all the positions where North Chicago senior Amari Earl could play in a single game.

— Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The move puts Eli Lilly among Citadel’s largest individual stock positions and comes after the pharma giant’s shares suffered a sharp decline earlier this year before rebounding.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of position

Noun

That last might be especially true for female human beings who may be more encouraged to have derived an identity based on our role as marital partner or parent.

— Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
The case turned into a years-long legal saga, with multiple people convicted of their roles in arranging the hit, including Wendi’s brother, Charlie Adelson, and her mother, Donna.

— Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of role

Verb

The jury did convict Rosado of driving under the influence and he was sentenced to five years in prison, but Rosado has been behind bars on a $2 million bail since 2021 so won't have to serve any additional time.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
After Shedeur Sanders and Hunter left Boulder for the NFL, the 2025 calendar year served as a reminder of how swiftly things can change.

— Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of serve

Noun

Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too.

— Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
The strain between city and club began in 2022, when a land deal between two parties for the Angels to purchase the stadium and surrounding property fell through amid a scandal.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of party

Noun

In April, Flock Safety opened a 97,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Smyrna that is intended to create more than 200 jobs over the next three years as part of a $10 million investment.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
The Giants are entrusting Bryce Eldridge, their 21-year-old rookie, with the job of protecting Devers in the lineup.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of job

Cite this Entry

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“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/function. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of function

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