functionary

noun

ˈfəŋ(k)-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce functionary (audio)
Definition of functionarynext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of functionary Pernkopf was a Nazi functionary who became dean of the medical faculty in 1938 and rector of the university in 1943. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Both Washington and Mexico City have launched crackdowns against a complex web of unscrupulous functionaries, front companies and document fraudsters, among others. — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 But Díaz-Canel is largely viewed by experts as a functionary, a loyalist without much true authority. — Ellen Uchimiya, CBS News, 19 May 2026 More than funding, though, is needed transparency by IDNR functionaries with marina boaters and Winthrop Harbor officials. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
  1. official
  2. bureaucrat
  3. officer
  4. clerk
  5. worker
  6. employee
Noun
  • An Allan Hancock College spokesperson confirmed the detention and said college officials were not notified in advance.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There have been 1,004 cases, including 198 hospitalizations and five deaths, state officials said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of official
Noun
  • These are scientists, academics, and bureaucrats speaking with their own distinct terminology and often talking past one another.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But elevating the whims of progressive activists and government bureaucrats above the wisdom of the marketplace has proven a costly mistake and undermined consumer choice.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of bureaucrat
Noun
  • Chief digital and marketing officer Aude Gandon was most recently global chief marketing officer of Nestlé, for example, while chief technology, data and analytics officer Brian Franz came from State Street.
    — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Jones was driving Levy’s SUV and had her phone as officers pursued him for 38 minutes, police said.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of officer
Noun
  • Earlier this year, Newsom called for local elections clerks to count ballots faster to head off misinformation ahead of the June 2 primary.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Some budgetary concern No formal opposition arguments have been submitted to the registrar-recorder/county clerk.
    — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of clerk
Noun
  • Prescription drugs filled at a pharmacy represented 18% of a worker’s health care premium in 2021, after factoring in any rebates paid out by manufacturers, according to the consulting and actuarial firm Milliman.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Face masks were distributed to local kindergartens, and mandatory mask mandates were slapped on workers at the nearby Irkutsk Aluminum Plant.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of worker
Noun
  • But Young noted that the child's lawyer, the judge, and government attorneys seeking deportation will all be federal employees.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The service The service at Sala is seamless and friendly, and from arrival, the front desk staff feels more like a group of friends than a removed set of hotel employees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of employee

Browse Nearby Words

functionaries
functionary
functioned
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Cite this Entry

“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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