as in served
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 functioned
The space functioned as a bright great room and teen hangout, fitted with arcade games, a large television and a snack bar.
—
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
In the early days of the company, physical operations and digital marketing functioned in parallel but lacked a truly conversational flow.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Bailey says the group functioned like an elite sports team.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
And for nearly every other character on the Emmy-winning series, jokes functioned as both an act of warm generosity and subtle self-preservation.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
For 30 years now, Of Montreal has functioned less as a band and more as a vehicle for exploring Kevin Barnes’ emotional whims.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod.
—Craig Bruce Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Sorokin, however, determined that the fee instead functioned as a tax, which the President cannot issue without authorization from Congress.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 June 2026
At a time when many distribution companies functioned like faceless upload platforms, Erving wanted Human Re Sources to feel personal, collaborative, and artist-centered.
—Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 8 June 2026
David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
In the early days of the company, physical operations and digital marketing functioned in parallel but lacked a truly conversational flow.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Bailey says the group functioned like an elite sports team.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
And for nearly every other character on the Emmy-winning series, jokes functioned as both an act of warm generosity and subtle self-preservation.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 June 2026
For 30 years now, Of Montreal has functioned less as a band and more as a vehicle for exploring Kevin Barnes’ emotional whims.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
As vilification of the Founders and the Revolution became more common, both in academia and in society at large, Wood functioned as part elder statesman and part lightning rod.
—Craig Bruce Smith, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Sorokin, however, determined that the fee instead functioned as a tax, which the President cannot issue without authorization from Congress.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 June 2026
At a time when many distribution companies functioned like faceless upload platforms, Erving wanted Human Re Sources to feel personal, collaborative, and artist-centered.
—Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
-
Visitors stroll brick streets, admire gabled roofs and pause for pastries at beloved Dutch bakeries that have served generations.—
Staff,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
For the last seven years, McNealy has served as the historic content expert for the Civil Rights Institute while also working as the department chair of history at Arthur Harold Parker High School and a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The defense maintained that Anthony acted in self-defense.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
The punitive phase of the civil trial began Thursday, after jurors determined that Grossman had acted with malice and oppression and Erickson with malice, oppression or fraud.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow San Antonio to attempt a tying three and the strategy worked exactly as intended.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
In the 1970s, what was then West Germany co-produced the Tornado bomber with the UK and Italy; then in the 1990s Germany worked with the UK, Italy and Spain to produce the dog-fighting Eurofighter jet.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
