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 jeans also have a cropped length that hits right at the ankle and patch pockets that not only look cute, but are also functional.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Small, functional items like these prove that holiday decor can combine utility with charm.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025
This near non-invasive method allows scientists to observe brain tissue in a natural, fully functional state.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
Some of these are more traditional doctors and some are in the functional medicine world.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Small, functional items like these prove that holiday decor can combine utility with charm.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025
This near non-invasive method allows scientists to observe brain tissue in a natural, fully functional state.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
Some of these are more traditional doctors and some are in the functional medicine world.
—Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
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But food hubs also have high startup and operational costs, challenges with maintaining a consistent supply and demand and recruiting skilled leadership and staff, and navigating organizational, regulatory and food safety requirements, Perez said.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
New operational concept for mine countermeasures The vessel is equipped with a TSAM towed sonar and on board the SAMDIS multi-view sonar.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Many event producers often receive severe verbal abuse on social media when elements of an event go wrong, an experience Wendel says was not necessarily pleasant, but ultimately useful.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
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Apollo’s entry is useful for the massive €800m ‘Sports City’ currently being built on land the club owns surrounding the Metropolitano, including a new training ground for Diego Simeone’s first team, and public facilities for golf, padel and skating, and Europe’s largest inland surfing centre.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The ecommerce giant is also expected to make its clothing lines available in five Galeries Lafayette malls, which like BHV is owned by the Société des Grands Magasins (SGM) group in the cities of Dijon, Grenoble, Reims, Angers, and Limoges, though the dates are not set.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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With most products available online, often at lower prices, department stores must offer some real value to the brick-and-mortar shopper.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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With over 35,000 monthly active users, the platform is designed to allow users to explore different ways of using their digital rewards, depending on availability and applicable guidelines.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Brandon Cwalina, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, which runs Medicaid in the state, said the state already requires every Medicaid applicant to verify their citizenship or, where applicable, their eligible immigration status.—
Kff Health News,
Denver Post,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Picture every Caribbean cliché and Barbados fits the bill, a Goldilocks island with the just-right combination of easygoing culture, world-class beaches, and co-operative weather.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
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Always bring a full list of your supplements to your pre-operative visit.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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More than 60% of the capital's health facilities, including Haiti's general hospital, are now shuttered or non-functioning because of the surge in gang violence.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
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In 2004, a constitutional amendment created the National Council of Justice to manage the judiciary, which has vastly improved the functioning and autonomy of the courts.—
Omar G. Encarnación,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Dirty Truths reminds us that renewal can be both beautiful and practical.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Nov. 2025
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The canals and pond, which were aggregately 193,000 cubic meters in volume and appear to have no practical purpose, would have taken 255,000 days of labor by a single individual.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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