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
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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
Previously, Abbas had served as a longtime PLO functionary, acting as the group’s foreign emissary and fundraiser.
—
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
This economic history argues that America’s prosperity is the product not of an undisturbed free market but, rather, of the hard work of functionaries.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Elections boards were put under a GOP functionary who promptly rigged the state board that had confirmed Riggs’ victory.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
There is a vast tide of Imperial functionaries, from soldiers to bureaucrats to technicians, all conforming to survive the predations of the Emperor’s whims.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
This economic history argues that America’s prosperity is the product not of an undisturbed free market but, rather, of the hard work of functionaries.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Elections boards were put under a GOP functionary who promptly rigged the state board that had confirmed Riggs’ victory.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
There is a vast tide of Imperial functionaries, from soldiers to bureaucrats to technicians, all conforming to survive the predations of the Emperor’s whims.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
Noun
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Victims should document evidence, prioritize safety and report incidents promptly, even if unsure whether the act constitutes a crime, officials said.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One is a veteran operator and government bureaucrat.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, Edwards retreated to the Dark Forest in Germany with the actual nuclear bearings, and reached out to his Navy SEAL buddy, James Reece (Chris Pratt), to share his mindset of how war bureaucrats have set up real soldiers to fail in their efforts to keep the free world safe.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Creekmore, 60, currently works a consumer and mortgage loan officer at People's Bank.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Wilson is still Nottingham Forest’s chief football officer and was in attendance at St James’ Park on Sunday as a visiting official.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That developed into work as a sports agate clerk – editing and coding the different box scores for print on our ‘Scoreboard’ page at the time.—
Nicole Young,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
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The process went smoothly enough for Daria, except for the moment when the clerk in the internet café paused at her middle name while reviewing her paperwork.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Other employees, including those in the military and air traffic control workers, must work without compensation until a budget deal is reached.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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At 18, her co-worker Taylor Robinson had yet to vote.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Boilerplate language in the budgets of several state agencies calls for measures to ensure state office space is 80% utilized and for polices, procedures, and monitoring that ensure state employees working remotely are doing their jobs.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Once, during a farewell party for a beloved employee, guests watched a tiramisu flip over all on its own.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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