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 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 Evil is aided and abetted by the banality of institutions and their functionaries. — Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 Since then, there have been many more arrests—especially of regional functionaries at various levels. — Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2025 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
  • The report noted that seven Miami-Dade building officials did not submit information to the state, and analysts said Aventura did not respond to questions about whether any buildings had been vacated.
    — David Smiley, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Last week, state officials were invited to a meeting with community leaders to discuss a path forward.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of official
Noun
  • Collecting bureaucrats’ signatures is at best a distraction from those efforts.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026
  • These incidents rarely appear in the statistics politicians and bureaucrats cite when assuring the public that downtown is moving in the right direction.
    — Jonathan Beaton, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of bureaucrat
Noun
  • Syeda Sultana, chief operating officer at the digital marketing platform Vettted, spent a decade managing a global sustainability program.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • As officers worked to disperse traffic, prosecutors allege Stacer sprayed the officers' vehicle with a fire extinguisher.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of officer
Noun
  • Joe Abruzzo, the current county manager, served as clerk when Israel was attacked three years ago.
    — Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The Johnson County district clerk could not immediately provide copies of the new indictments.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Definition of clerk
Noun
  • The building appears to be still in the framing stage with workers making adjustments to the concrete pylons as cars zip past.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • From a human trafficking sweep, to a mistrial in the K Street mass shooting case, to a look at a state worker Reddit community, here’s a rundown of the top Sacramento stories on July 21.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of worker
Noun
  • Two Boston city councilors are pushing for a change in city law that would require Mayor Michelle Wu to report street projects annually as Wu faces criticism for stalling road work before a city employee was killed by a truck.
    — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 July 2026
  • As companies lack clear personal branding policies, Taylor believes employees like her are proactively shaping future corporate guidelines, volunteering to lead this evolving professional frontier.
    — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 22 July 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 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of functionary for Spanish Speakers

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