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 hastened pace of destroyer development has surprised some outside observers, raising questions about how much of the technology is functional versus symbolic.
—
Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
For many functional parts, the standard 0.2 mm layer height is fine.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
But the flow of images is more functional than poetic.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2025
This reflects a flawed value system prioritizing clean jobs over functional ones.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
For many functional parts, the standard 0.2 mm layer height is fine.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
But the flow of images is more functional than poetic.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 May 2025
This reflects a flawed value system prioritizing clean jobs over functional ones.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
-
In addition, women often have to deal with what Biggins describes as operational overload.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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There are at least seventeen currently operational rotating restaurants in the United States, the closest being the Skydome Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, but the disappointing memory of Stouffer’s was Meyer’s only benchmark.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
This would be particularly useful for patients at higher risk due to age or family history.—
Mill Etienne,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
All this is to say, my phone is full of useful information and tools that help keep me safe—contacts, copies of documents, health insurance, GPS maps, and more.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Trapped: What Is Happening to Wendy Williams? is available to stream on Max.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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The Toy Association, which has more than 900 members, is urging the U.S. government to grant a reprieve from tariffs on toys imported from China to make sure toys available for the holiday season.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
The Arizona Republic,
27 Oct. 2022
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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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While the first sale rule is broadly applicable across products and industries, it is considered particularly useful in higher-value consumer goods and luxury products, where margins are greater.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
26 May 2025
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The average cost of a fast food meal includes applicable state and local sales taxes based on the restaurants' locations.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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The aunties then try — try being the operative word — to recreate their moves on the dancefloor at the conference, failing spectacularly.—
Marianne Eloise,
Vulture,
10 May 2025
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Indeed, secrets is the operative word, applied not only to these gifted designers but to the Petit Palais, whose collection of some 5,600 jewelry sketches and gouache renderings is barely known, even to specialists.—
Ruth Peltason,
Air Mail,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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States warn there could be 'unprecedented chaos' Jeremy Feigenbaum, a lawyer representing the states challenging Trump's policy, stressed the practical problems of not having a national standard for citizenship while the executive order is being litigated.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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But overall, this affordable bed frame offers a good mix of pleasant aesthetics and practical storage solutions.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Jain: That’s a powerful example of applied storytelling.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Bracket Calculating the likelihood of a perfect bracket is an exercise in applied probability.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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