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

Making the film made Wishnow rethink what the function of a critic is, especially in how Christgau describes what the two core totems of criticism are. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 Constant use is so important to its function that the brand designed the Wireless PowerPack, a small, wearable charger that fits right over the sensor. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Not just because of its size, but also because the treasure so clearly shows how silver functioned as wealth and a means of payment in the Viking Age. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026 The best-selling small SUVs of recent years are practical and affordable models that function as commuters and family haulers equipped for the needs of a dependable daily driver. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for function

Recent Examples of Synonyms for function

Noun

And talk about schlock, surely there was something if not exactly schlocky then definitely sensationalist about Marcia’s way of eviscerating an artist or an event.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
The event cast Democrats as too left wing, describing them as communists, anti-American or even evil.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Civilian specialists The 583rd Missile Maintenance Squadron occupies an unusual position within the Air Force’s nuclear mission.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Racing In third position earlier in the evening, the Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro Audi R10 went on to win the 11th running of the Petit Le Mans road race at Road Atlanta in 2008.

— Chris Teague, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of position

Noun

Men and boys fulfilled traditional roles around a large circular drum, beating it rhythmically.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Now, as van den Berg arrives for his first NFL regular season with Sunday’s Bears-Panthers opener in Charlotte, he is expected to play a sizable role as part of the Bears’ defensive line rotation.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of role

Noun

On the way to said party, Liam’s friends Jackson and Kendall are having a come-to-Jesus moment with him about the Ariana situation, which is looking worse and worse by the minute.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
But this wasn't built to be a sports car; the Elegante's party trick was effortless high-speed cruising rather than corner-carving.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of party

Noun

Jeffrey Katzenberg, then a studio executive at Paramount Pictures, hand-picked the Happy Days star for the job, but at the time, Winkler had a bad feeling about accepting it.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
And Kyle was doing a great job of dialing up the right play calls.

— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

Around for decades, red-light therapy has traditionally been used to treat chronic muscle and joint pain and various injuries, and has shown cosmetic benefits for skin and facial care, purposes for which it’s cleared by the FDA.

— Mirin Fader, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
One of the Constitution’s founding purposes was to prevent change.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of purpose

Verb

Looks like the method acting (stopping his heart medication in order to play a dying man) paid off.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
The Louisiana state court sought to enjoin the SEC from acting against LSU for rostering the players, but even then LSU chose not to roster the players — at least not yet.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of act

Cite this Entry

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“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/function. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of function

noun

verb

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