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
For summertime, there is nothing as equally chic and functional as a caftan.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Brooklyn is the only team with legitimate functional cap space, and the rebuilding Nets seem more likely to use it to absorb bad salary (in exchange for draft picks) than to make some big splurge on another team’s third-best player.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Known for its sturdy, functional bags and enthusiastic following among surfers, skiers, skaters and other outdoor enthusiasts, Db cases were originally marketed under the brand name Douchebags when the firm was founded in 2012.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 16 June 2025
According to multiple shoppers, the shed is easy to assemble and a functional addition to pool areas and backyards.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
Brooklyn is the only team with legitimate functional cap space, and the rebuilding Nets seem more likely to use it to absorb bad salary (in exchange for draft picks) than to make some big splurge on another team’s third-best player.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Known for its sturdy, functional bags and enthusiastic following among surfers, skiers, skaters and other outdoor enthusiasts, Db cases were originally marketed under the brand name Douchebags when the firm was founded in 2012.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 16 June 2025
According to multiple shoppers, the shed is easy to assemble and a functional addition to pool areas and backyards.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
-
For family offices, this reduces operational risk while creating additional income diversification through conservation initiatives.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
This system keeps the robot operational around the clock, which is crucial in production environments where downtime can be costly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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This is what makes average household income so useful in this analysis of the wealthiest cities in Arkansas.—
Andrew DePietro,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
These are much more useful for decks and outdoor cleaning, because their strength and efficiency can actually lead to interior damage.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Set up free credit monitoring if available, keep an eye on your Social Security statement through the SSA website and check your bank statements closely.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
-
Also driving interest in high-yielding Chinese stocks is mainland China investors looking for higher returns than generally available domestically, a team led by J.P. Morgan’s Wendy Liu said in a late June report.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 July 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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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in May that Trump is abiding by all applicable conflict-of-interest laws.—
Kelsey Walsh,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
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Dealing with rage wouldn’t seem the term most applicable to Estévez, who is as amiable and animated as anyone in the Royals’ clubhouse and radiates a room-energizing presence.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
The operative part of cruising is movement: to sail to and from a place with ease.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
25 June 2025
-
Fresh off her Oscar win for 2001's Monster's Ball, Halle Berry's next step was to join the James Bond franchise in 2002's Die Another Day as NSA operative Jinx.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Today’s Canadian nationalism, by contrast, arises from darker and more practical concerns.—
Stephen Marche,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
-
Sierra Designs recently updated their award-winning Mobile Mummy, a practical and comfortable wearable sleeping bag originally released in 2014.—
Wendy Altschuler,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
That’s where the distinction between applied and contextual AI becomes critical.—
ByTheodore Krantz Jr,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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At the time, most basic and applied research was done by the military.—
Paul Bierman,
The Conversation,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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