as in served
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of functioned
In recent days, he’s functioned as the fund’s public face and most visible defender, a role consistent with his comfort in the spotlight.
—
Eric Tucker, Fortune, 23 May 2026
In the 1990s, many white-supremacist communities functioned on the fringes of society, in hard-to-reach places such as East Texas and the Idaho panhandle.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
The dynamic collective functioned as a training ground not only for its maestro, but for an era of creatives that would leave a lasting impression on the market.
—Maria Cristina Pavarini, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Where packaging and pre-sales once functioned as infrastructure, audience itself is increasingly becoming the infrastructure.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
That research led him to conclude that the long rectangular space east of the Palace’s formal gardens originally functioned as a bowling green.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
These programs have functioned to help divert and control disease outbreaks for decades.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
After examining the car, a forensic auto examiner also found that the brake and accelerator had all functioned properly—despite belief that a pedal may have been jammed or stuck.
—Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026
But citizenship has never functioned in such a simple way.
—Daisy Hernández, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Eric Tucker, Fortune, 23 May 2026
In the 1990s, many white-supremacist communities functioned on the fringes of society, in hard-to-reach places such as East Texas and the Idaho panhandle.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
The dynamic collective functioned as a training ground not only for its maestro, but for an era of creatives that would leave a lasting impression on the market.
—Maria Cristina Pavarini, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Where packaging and pre-sales once functioned as infrastructure, audience itself is increasingly becoming the infrastructure.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
That research led him to conclude that the long rectangular space east of the Palace’s formal gardens originally functioned as a bowling green.
—Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
These programs have functioned to help divert and control disease outbreaks for decades.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
After examining the car, a forensic auto examiner also found that the brake and accelerator had all functioned properly—despite belief that a pedal may have been jammed or stuck.
—Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026
But citizenship has never functioned in such a simple way.
—Daisy Hernández, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
-
Here are those who served in the judicial branch.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Likely because Beyoncé served as a co-chair for this year’s event, the 14-year-old got a pass, wearing a white strapless Balenciaga gown with silver Jimmy Choo stilettos, sunglasses, and an unzipped jacket.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The criminal trial comes months after a separate jury in a civil trial found that Parker acted with gross negligence in the shooting and awarded the injured teacher, Abby Zwerner, $10 million in damages.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
The defense attorney said Laird had acted suspiciously by deleting messages between him and Maya on multiple platforms.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The right fielder worked a full count in the third inning.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Nuckles says that Sosnak, while born in Pittsburgh, lived for many years in Florida and worked as a minor league umpire.—
Christopher DeRose,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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