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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
One ounce of cheddar cheese covers 15% of your daily needs for calcium, a mineral that provides structure to the bones and teeth and is required for nerve and muscle function, hormone secretion, and healthy blood flow.1617 8. Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025 Genital reconstruction surgery can ease survivors’ pain, but can also make clitoral function worse, the World Health Organization says. Nariman El-Mofty Nariman El-Mofty, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Verb
The photograph corresponds, complements, or even dissolves the sculptural object’s manual and artisanal production procedures, functioning not as document but as its dialectical technological counterpart. Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025 The agency is now working to complete a draft analysis of how each of those plans would function and impact the environment, which bureau officials previously said would be published in the summer of 2025. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for function
Recent Examples of Synonyms for function
Noun
  • Parades; live entertainment; food, drink and merchandise vendors; community resources; and family-friendly activities are central to all of these events.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 June 2025
  • The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), one of the oldest and most prestigious annual global spirit judging events, just released the results for their 2025 event.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • But the authors found that this advantage when under static compression proved to be a disadvantage when dropping eggs from a height, with the horizontal position emerging as the optimal orientation.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2025
  • Delray Beach commissioners and DDA board members may be in a unique position to find and cultivate future board members who represent the aforementioned.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • These rituals included a physical action, an emotional expression and a shared sense of purpose.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • This was still wild country, and Fuller set off with the express purpose of producing a book about her journey.
    James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The sales tax measure would be limited to areas served by MTS, so North County communities would be excluded because they are served by the North County Transit District.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
  • After the crime While serving her sentence, Maje became pregnant by another inmate.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Cunha now has too much baggage and a fresh start is regarded as the best option for all parties.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • At Cassie’s 21st birthday party, Combs brought Dallas Austin and Britney Spears.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The unemployment rate is hovering at just over 4%, and employers have added a solid number of jobs each month.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • For manufacturing to continue growing our economy, creating jobs and developing the best products in the world, the United States must update its permitting laws and procedures.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Though she's been a part of some of the entire franchise's most epic confrontations and conflagrations, Smiley, who proposed to Rossi in 2013, has played an arguably even more pivotal role in shaping the course of the Housewives' oldest installment.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
  • But by March, Musk's role in the administration began to face questions.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Expansion process As Daly noted in a Q&A with The Athletic two weeks ago, the league doesn’t anticipate opening a traditional expansion process as much as continuing to listen to interested parties and perhaps acting on it from there at some point in time.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • Acting Director Stewart could act decisively by reversing the PTAB's EPC ruling.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/function. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

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