Thesaurus results for FUNCTIONARY

functionary

noun

ˈfəŋ(k)-shə-ˌner-ē

Definition of functionary

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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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 More than funding, though, is needed transparency by IDNR functionaries with marina boaters and Winthrop Harbor officials. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 Their prestige suffers because it is conflated in the public’s mind with long lines at the DMV, fastidious building inspectors, parking tickets—the stuff of local functionaries. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026 But as the courts whittle away at the power of government functionaries to interpret vague congressional statutes, at least one federal agency has apparently chosen lawless rebellion. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 5 Nov. 2025 Bigelow’s sympathetic eye for her functionaries risks the film being misread as an argument for more robust military funding. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for functionary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary

Noun

Fire officials said the fire appeared to be cooking-related, and investigators are still determining what caused it.

— Jose Fabian, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The league will take its time to connect with stakeholders, including players, team officials and Players Association leadership.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of official

Noun

America’s goal should be more cures, more treatment options and better care, not fewer innovations dictated by Washington bureaucrats.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The order directs his administration to toughen air pollution evaluations, add noise restrictions and expand city bureaucrats’ authority to review water and electricity usage at data center facilities.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of bureaucrat

Noun

But the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the murder convictions this May and ordered a retrial, saying Colleton County’s then-clerk tainted the first trial with what the defense said was prejudicial comments to the jury.

— Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
After the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh’s conviction for murdering his wife and son earlier this year -- citing jury tampering by the court clerk in the case -- Judge Debra McCaslin scheduled his retrial for April 5, 2027.

— Janice McDonald, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of clerk

Noun

But that constant movement is also making Ebola harder to contain, complicating efforts to find infected people and trace those who may have been exposed, said Mari Ndika, an Ebola response worker involved in disease monitoring.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Entry-level workers feel more pressure The effects appear to be more pronounced for those looking to start their careers.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of worker

Noun

If a foreign state treated these law enforcement operations as armed conflict, the private sector employees running them would not be combatants under international law and would not have POW or other protections.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Fuller is nearly six months into the new position, created as Texas faces growing scrutiny over how school districts handle allegations involving teachers, coaches, and other school employees.

— Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of employee

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functionaries

functionary

functioned

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“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of functionary

noun

Example Sentences

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