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
Reducing stress may also improve symptoms, particularly in people with functional or stress-related abdominal pain.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
The most spectacular touch might be the fully functional fireplaces in many of the rooms, which the hotel stocks with firewood during the cooler parts of the year.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
Taking your home from purely functional to genuinely fun often comes down to the little things.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Cross-functional collaboration that isn’t muddled in hierarchy speeds up innovation.
—Claire Zillman, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for functional
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
The most spectacular touch might be the fully functional fireplaces in many of the rooms, which the hotel stocks with firewood during the cooler parts of the year.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
Taking your home from purely functional to genuinely fun often comes down to the little things.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Cross-functional collaboration that isn’t muddled in hierarchy speeds up innovation.
—Claire Zillman, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
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The fleet will start replacing the Navy’s aging Ohio-class submarines by the 2030s and will remain operational till 2084.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The officers involved were transferred from operational duty to administrative activities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation by the military police internal affairs division, police said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At present, scramjet engine development is one of the hardest engineering problems to solve, so any boost to that will be very useful indeed.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Ever find OpenAI’s most useful tools are spread across multiple, stand-alone services?—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some questions may be adapted into full columns, and transcripts of the chats remain available after each session concludes.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Streaming is also available on the March Madness Live app.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 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
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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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Uber’s website says service animals must be accommodated in compliance with applicable accessibility laws and the company’s service animal policy, which says there are no exceptions due to allergies, religious objections, or a fear of animals.—
Steve Karnowski,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Precious-metals dealers help facilitate these purchases, guiding investors through the buying process and, when applicable, assisting with storage, custodial arrangements and regulatory requirements tied to precious metals IRAs.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His campaign has gained the backing of controversial right-wing radio host and political operative Dan Proft of Naples, Florida, as well as far-right former legislator Jeanne Ives, now a member of the Republican State Central Committee.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
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The long-standing phrase energy transition remains operative for much of the world—though others reject it.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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At the same time, Maguire ventured into opposition territory to serve as an emergency centre-forward — rarely a sign of a functioning game plan.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Using a patient, practical tone keeps everyone focused on useful results.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
-
China is accelerating efforts to move humanoid robots beyond demonstrations and into practical, real-world roles.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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