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

Comparing reported progress with the current schedule These functions can reduce the need for engineers to manually search across several systems to establish what is happening. — Nikhil Chandankhede, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 So the Huskies, ranked second in the preseason poll, have to be unequivocally Sarah Strong’s team for optimal function. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

Its mandate also changed to include monitoring the ceasefire and documenting its violations, coordinating with Lebanon’s military and functioning as the only direct communication channel between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries. — Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 That gives AngelAi a direct connection to a functioning financial institution and a live environment for applying its technology. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for function

Recent Examples of Synonyms for function

Noun

Its arrival split men's professional golf, with the PGA Tour suspending members who competed in LIV events.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
The incident does not necessarily indicate a fundamental limitation of the G1 platform, particularly given Unitree’s suggestion that the development model may not have been properly tuned for the event.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

Dhillon, a Sikh who was born in India and immigrated to the United States as a child, was a prominent figure in conservative legal and political circles even before being tapped to her Justice Department position.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
This early risk awareness later defined his policy position, as Knot gained a reputation during his tenure as Dutch central bank governor for aggressively combating inflation, enforcing fiscal discipline, and safeguarding financial stability.

— , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of position

Noun

The Olympic Games are less than two years away, and the sheriff’s department will be expected to play a major role in keeping millions of visitors and athletes safe.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Evers said Crowley also played a large role in negotiations on a $500 million deal to upgrade the baseball stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play and to keep the team in the city through 2050.

— Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of role

Verb

She’s worked as a political strategist and served as the executive director of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party in 2024.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
Gallagher is from Yuba City, and served on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors before being elected to the Capitol in 2014.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of serve

Noun

At the Eckhaus Latta party, there was also a guest appearance by mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman, dressed up as a cat.

— Meka Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Regardless, Republican Sam Matthews, an at-times independent voter who dropped into the Ohio GOP bus tour launch party in Strongsville, remained adamant Democrats continued to be too extreme for most of the electorate.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of party

Noun

Eco effort The hotel has achieved the highest level of BREEAM certification for its sustainability performance and has brought 650 new jobs to the area.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Becerra’s road to the state’s top job involved surviving a bruising June primary campaign that featured a crowded field of Democrats.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

North Korea’s Missile Administration said its cluster warheads fall into four categories, depending on their intended purpose.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The flashback structure doesn’t serve much of a purpose except to delay the audience’s complete endorsement of a character who, though appropriately cantankerous, is unambiguously a hero and nice guy.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of purpose

Verb

So Concordia researchers developed this novel material that can act as both.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
As the church falls apart, its demolition imminent, the work acts as an acknowledgment of the life that exists within materials, of how intention and attention can come together to bring out the sense of meaning inherent to a place.

— Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of act

Cite this Entry

Style

“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/function. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of function

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on function

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quondam

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes