FUNCTIONAL Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

functional

adjective

ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl

Definition of functional

as in operational

being in effective operation I don't think that vending machine is functional, so don't put money into it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in useful

capable of being put to use or account a functional knowledge of auto mechanics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in available

capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose a very functional kitchen utensil for peeling potatoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 functional Those come in more fun colorways, including rosette and matcha, in addition to the drab but functional graphite of the Tablet 12 Pro. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 During the 20th century the trench coat and Burberry check evolved from functional design elements into enduring fashion symbols. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026 His unconventional ceramics, like his painting, tend to be massively scaled and edge closer to sculpture than functional objects. — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 If something goes wrong, functional self-closing doors can be the difference between a scare and a disaster. — Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for functional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional

Adjective

The effectiveness of the approach will depend on how well the systems perform under operational conditions and against evolving electronic warfare threats.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Falcon Heavy is an operational vehicle, but the fully reusable Starship remains in the test-flight phase.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of operational

Adjective

Apple Vision Pro proved particularly useful for judging the scale of sets before physical construction.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
As Japan entered a period of political upheaval in the mid-nineteenth century, criminal gangs became useful in a new way.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of useful

Adjective

Rolapp, meanwhile, said in January there was no guarantee the program that brought Koepka back would be available again.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
So the other, cheaper bird that’s for sale — the $2,000 bird that a clerk might have told her about — is that available in-house, or is that a special order?

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of available

Adjective

That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Definition of operating

Adjective

Indeed, with this work the term shift is operative in every way, framing its status as an artwork both transformational and transformed.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
West had coronary artery disease and died due to a combination of the pre-existing illness and post-operative complications a day after having cosmetic surgery.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of operative

Adjective

This is the practical discipline of moving ever onward in the face of ambiguity.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Its experimental results could help determine whether fast-spectrum molten chloride reactors can progress toward practical applications, including future maritime power systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of practical

Adjective

Parenting a child comes with unique stressors, from small daily hassles like getting kids out the door on time for school to the bigger assignment of raising a functioning, happy and healthy human.

— Daniel M. Bagner, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Two years later, that land was a functioning commercial development with healthcare services, co-working space, community banking and retail tenants serving a neighborhood that had none of those things before.

— Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026