1
as in official
a person who holds a public office
spoke to high-ranking functionaries at the embassy in the hopes that they could help
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in bureaucrat
a worker in a government agency
the faceless functionaries at the Internal Revenue Service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of functionary
Since then, there have been many more arrests—especially of regional functionaries at various levels.
—
Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
Some were alarmed by reports that mid-tier functionaries at Exxon have been engaged in backchannel discussions with Rosneft.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
But this newsletter is more focused on how Trump and his fawning functionaries speak about and for him.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
That so many corrupt functionaries and cartel capos ultimately face responsibility in the United States — and not in Mexico — underscores a fundamental weakness of the Mexican justice system, observers say.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025
Some were alarmed by reports that mid-tier functionaries at Exxon have been engaged in backchannel discussions with Rosneft.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
But this newsletter is more focused on how Trump and his fawning functionaries speak about and for him.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
That so many corrupt functionaries and cartel capos ultimately face responsibility in the United States — and not in Mexico — underscores a fundamental weakness of the Mexican justice system, observers say.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
Noun
-
Due to the barricade situation, additional agents were called to the scene, officials said.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Federal officials and family members confirmed Wednesday that Rummler was issued a citation for disorderly conduct — a misdemeanor — after the shooting.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
By the mid-level bureaucrat who finally decides the cost of complicity is too high.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Likewise, empowering state bureaucrats to value individual portfolios – which are often illiquid and not easy to value – is textbook government bloat, something national voters have no tolerance for.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And on Tuesday, Joan Bracci, the county’s chief financial officer, stressed that DROP will create new costs for the county.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Sutherland, 59, was arrested shortly after midnight when officers responded to the scene near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood, according to LAPD officer Kevin Terzes.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As part of the deal with McFadden, prosecutors dropped a felony charge of embezzlement by a clerk or agent, along with an enhancement that alleged aggravating circumstances.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Trump has also repeatedly lashed out over the state’s incarceration of Tina Peters, the former county clerk convicted of state felonies related to her attempts to prove discredited election conspiracies shared by the president.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The project will serve as a pilot for the city’s Project Labor Agreement ordinance, with most construction performed by union workers.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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The train had been carrying mostly students and workers traveling to school and work in other districts when the incident unfolded, BBC Thai stated.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Prior to the 2023 assault, the lawsuit said, Hopkinton police reportedly received several complaints from female employees at Sismanis’ business regarding his conduct.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
On the sixth day of the new year, normally a bleakly depressing time for corporate employees, Enhypen had a treat in store for their fans.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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