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
  • The bureaucrats in Brussels are struggling to keep up with the breakneck pace of technological progress.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But when a bureaucrat from Seoul arrives, stubbornly ignoring all warnings to avoid the infection, Mu-young must decide who she is truly meant to protect.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 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
  • Search and rescue efforts included nearby residents, emergency services, healthcare workers, security personnel and an expert team from the local disaster prevention office, per the BBC.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old migrant being held at the Delaney Hall detention center, was pronounced dead on Saturday by medical workers at University Hospital in Newark, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement Monday.
    — Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of worker
Noun
  • The order is opposed by unions representing state workers, who argue employees will foot the cost of Newsom’s mandate, through expenses like gas and parking.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That’s the Dollar General employee turned tryout football player turned military student turned statistical anomaly in him.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 4 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on functionary

Nglish: Translation of functionary for Spanish Speakers

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