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
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Recent Examples of functionary
Some were alarmed by reports that mid-tier functionaries at Exxon have been engaged in backchannel discussions with Rosneft.
—
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
But this newsletter is more focused on how Trump and his fawning functionaries speak about and for him.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
That so many corrupt functionaries and cartel capos ultimately face responsibility in the United States — and not in Mexico — underscores a fundamental weakness of the Mexican justice system, observers say.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
But this newsletter is more focused on how Trump and his fawning functionaries speak about and for him.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
That so many corrupt functionaries and cartel capos ultimately face responsibility in the United States — and not in Mexico — underscores a fundamental weakness of the Mexican justice system, observers say.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
Noun
-
Federal officials have said agents, including those part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are seeing increases in assaults and threats against them.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But for Steiner, of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, the case has forced Israelis to examine the worsening clash between populist politicians and unelected bureaucrats whom some Israelis view as out of touch.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Often affiliated with the state and temples, these people were typically royalty, high-level bureaucrats and priests.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Misael Tagle is the chief executive officer (CEO) and founder of Duchateau, a flooring manufacturer based in San Diego, CA.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s crackdowns have led to protests, disruptions, and attacks on federal officers.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Last year, in an effort to bring at least some unofficial results to the county faster, Forlini and the county sheriff offered a program where a deputy and a county clerk employee went to municipalities to pick up the sticks and drive them back to the county elections department in Mount Clemens.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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In September 2017, Singer petitioned the clerk of Palm Beach County to legally change his name to Hunter Barrett Scott.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The same Georgia plant where Hyundai plans to test out Atlas was the site of a federal immigration raid last year that led to the arrests of hundreds of workers, including more than 300 South Korean citizens.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
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Karmen Black, a licensed social worker and Minneapolis resident, received the Heroic Act Award from the United States Lifesaving Association on Monday during a ceremony at Minneapolis Fire Station 5.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Universities have long balked at the idea that their athletes are employees in some way.—
ANDREW DESTIN,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
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At the time of his arrest, Willis a probationary employee for the GCSO, per the agency's news release.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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