1
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
2
as in useful
capable of being put to use or account
a functional knowledge of auto mechanics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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Recent Examples of functional
Laura’s functional alcoholism, long ignored, finally reached a breaking point after a drunk-driving accident with her young son in the car.
—
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
The Kelvin is lightweight, functional, and extremely affordable—ideal for anyone on a budget who wants solid safety.
—Adam Trenkamp, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
Activities such as reaching, turning to look behind you or carrying uneven loads all rely on functional rib cage and thoracic spine mobility.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
This starts with knowing your consumers and deeply understanding what functional and emotional role a brand and its products or services play in their lives.
—Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for functional
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
The Kelvin is lightweight, functional, and extremely affordable—ideal for anyone on a budget who wants solid safety.
—Adam Trenkamp, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
Activities such as reaching, turning to look behind you or carrying uneven loads all rely on functional rib cage and thoracic spine mobility.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
This starts with knowing your consumers and deeply understanding what functional and emotional role a brand and its products or services play in their lives.
—Alexa Beck, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
-
LeBaron Moten, District 60’s deputy superintendent for operational supports and programs, or Eduardo Cesario, the deputy superintendent for academic supports and programs, will soon give their recommendations to Superintendent Theresa Plascencia for final consideration.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
PSyn supports that work by helping health plans and employer groups strengthen benefit strategy through education, practical analysis, and operational guidance grounded in real-world pharmacy experience.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Overall, the device feels like an incremental, useful evolution of the portable workstation idea.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There’s usually some time that can be rearranged, experience built over the years, and a real interest in creating something useful.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Armchair analysis fills the space that is created by the absence of available facts.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The model is only available to paying subscribers but will be available to the public soon, Kuaishou said.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Information should be for the student, and, if applicable, their parent(s).—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
Florida Times-Union,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Supporting them is a multilingual team that assists patients throughout the entire journey, from start to finish, from consultation to post-operative care.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Seems is the operative word here.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Police say the driver stopped at the non-functioning signal but did not see the teen in the crosswalk before proceeding.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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The winning team later enjoyed a luxury yacht complete with a private chef, while the losing team slept on the smallest vessel—without a functioning toilet.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The specifications Issac 0 is a compact, stationary home robot designed for practical integration into the home.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Finally, a justice has to bring practical judgment to balancing competing interests when the legal text does not settle an issue, or the court acts as the leader for the entire state judiciary.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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