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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for functionary
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
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
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
Noun
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Nineteen people are confirmed dead in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island as a Category 5 hurricane this week -- and that death toll is expected to rise, officials said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
31 Oct. 2025
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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,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And the best and the brightest will want to become bureaucrats, not entrepreneurs.—
Ugo Troiano,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
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What follows is a story told from the perspective of the politicians, generals, and bureaucrats in charge of the nation's nuclear war machine.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The president’s comments come after his administration expanded a federal program that deputizes local police to enforce immigration laws, signing up nearly 16,000 officers across 40 states as part of an effort to boost deportations, according to data reviewed by Bloomberg News.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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With scientists and program officers at home, activities at the nearly two dozen federal agencies participating in research and development, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, come to a halt.—
Kenneth M. Evans,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Under state law, countywide petitions must be signed by 15% of those who voted for the office of circuit clerk in the most recent general election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Election Day is only days away and Detroit's City Clerk is urging residents to turn out and cast their ballots for the city's next mayor, City Council members, clerk and more.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The listener is no longer an outsider from the polite world of public broadcasting, or podcasting, but a tired factory worker longing for relief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In Uttar Pradesh, a development initiative provided community health workers with a smartphone app that combined diagnostic and treatment instructions with a client-management program.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Many civilian employees at the base who are paid using funds appropriated by Congress have been furloughed and others that are deemed mission critical are currently working without pay.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Oct. 2025
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Other Inside Trader Joe’s podcast episodes have discussed many of the quirks of the beloved grocery store, like what the bells next to cash registered are for and whether employees are encouraged to flirt with customers.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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