as in served
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of functioned
The character Justin, whose latent gay identity has functioned mostly as a backdoor punchline up to this point, finally develops feelings for a boy in his high-school theater program (tale as old as time) and the young love culminates in a cry-worthy way.
—
James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Sitges has long functioned as Europe’s premier launchpad for fantastic cinema.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Throughout art history, light has functioned as a foundational tool for creating form, volume, and perspective through techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Russian Ministry of Culture, for example, functioned the way most European ministries of culture do.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Tesla had argued in court filings that its technology functioned as designed and that there was no evidence that the Model 3 driver’s decision to take his hands off the wheel was influenced by public statements made by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk that Teslas can drive themselves.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
While seven out of 12 members of the Fed’s interest rate-setting committee are nominated by the president and confirmed by members of the Senate, the central bank for decades has functioned as an independent institution.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Institutions that once functioned for the benefit of the public are now sclerotic, having been partly dismantled, or seem indifferent to suffering.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
With his 2018 documentary Minding the Gap, director Bing Liu crafted a tender, reflective story that functioned as a portrait of masculinity, centered on three young men whose friendship is bound to their love of skateboarding.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Sitges has long functioned as Europe’s premier launchpad for fantastic cinema.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Throughout art history, light has functioned as a foundational tool for creating form, volume, and perspective through techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The Russian Ministry of Culture, for example, functioned the way most European ministries of culture do.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Tesla had argued in court filings that its technology functioned as designed and that there was no evidence that the Model 3 driver’s decision to take his hands off the wheel was influenced by public statements made by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk that Teslas can drive themselves.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
While seven out of 12 members of the Fed’s interest rate-setting committee are nominated by the president and confirmed by members of the Senate, the central bank for decades has functioned as an independent institution.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Institutions that once functioned for the benefit of the public are now sclerotic, having been partly dismantled, or seem indifferent to suffering.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
With his 2018 documentary Minding the Gap, director Bing Liu crafted a tender, reflective story that functioned as a portrait of masculinity, centered on three young men whose friendship is bound to their love of skateboarding.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
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The effort has largely been driven by Vought, who previously served as the vice president of Heritage Action for America.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Fangio was the new defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, while Payton served as quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Authorities acted upon that removal order on Friday morning.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
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The professional chefs then acted as sous chefs while the students provided the recipes and directives, according to the festival’s official website.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Höglander worked hard this offseason, arrived at camp in excellent shape and was a standout in Penticton and in his two preseason appearances.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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For Ramos, who has worked for over a decade with therapy dogs, equine therapy is a new way to bring that comfort to patients and other children.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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