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
The back has functional pockets and is accented with the classic OshKosh logo patch.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
By using chocolate, cofounder of Alice Mushrooms Charlotte Cruze and Goodstein wanted to remove the barrier—taste, texture, and more—associated with many functional mushroom supplements that come in powders, capsules, or tinctures.
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Trends around longevity and functional strength were already pushing more people toward resistance training, Severin says, but GLP-1s added a clinical urgency because they’re associated with a loss of lean muscle mass that strength training can help mitigate.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Early animal tests show the device can deliver steady doses for weeks, while keeping the cells alive and functional.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for functional
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
By using chocolate, cofounder of Alice Mushrooms Charlotte Cruze and Goodstein wanted to remove the barrier—taste, texture, and more—associated with many functional mushroom supplements that come in powders, capsules, or tinctures.
—Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Trends around longevity and functional strength were already pushing more people toward resistance training, Severin says, but GLP-1s added a clinical urgency because they’re associated with a loss of lean muscle mass that strength training can help mitigate.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Early animal tests show the device can deliver steady doses for weeks, while keeping the cells alive and functional.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
-
The Arak plant has not been operational since Israel attacked it last June.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Solar customers who had their systems installed under earlier iterations of the tariff still get compensated at the retail rate for 20 years from the time their systems became operational before the new rules affect them.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That's unusual for a drone in this category and genuinely useful for anyone shooting in tight spaces or urban environments.—
Omar Kardoudi
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Fortunately, Darwin has a big brain to go with all those useful legs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
April itself may feel too full for an extended escape, but don't overlook what's available close by.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
An update for that spot was not immediately available Friday.—
Jenna Thompson
March 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.—
Rachel Nostrant,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Jan. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Garden admission is applicable for nonmembers.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
These laws are only required today because Democrats have put in place operative policies that allow for people who are not legal voters to be voting.—
Special to the Sun-Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Then, trace your finger to its peak, which, to me, was his starring role as smoldering special forces operative Scott McCoy in the 1986 action movie The Delta Force, co-starring a frail-looking but grizzled and unsmiling Lee Marvin in his last movie.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Investigators say the error was compounded by non-functioning signal systems along with failures in staffing, oversight and maintenance during years of delays in safety upgrades.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Velasquez said Chait placed a strong emphasis on communication, recalling that district leaders recently sent administrators guidance on reassuring families that schools would remain safe and functioning.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your big vision is about to meet a practical checkpoint.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
His practical advice fares better than both his theories and his pallid attempts at profundity.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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