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
Sci-fi stories about alien invasions have often functioned as political allegories for anxieties around empire and immigration, Lechuga says.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Unlike contemporaries such as Nirvana, a punk band that wanted to shred the patriarchal rock hegemony of the ’80s, and Pearl Jam, which functioned as an exorcism for the soul night in and night out, Corgan never hid his rock star ambitions.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
The Role Of Adaptability And Feedback Part of my role became understanding how this athlete functioned mentally and physically.
—Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The original buildings also included the gym, PE locker room and a cafeteria that, for decades, also functioned as a stage for students and for events.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 1 June 2026
But the estate functioned as more than a single house.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The Lakers functioned as a family business for more than 45 years under the ownership of the late Jerry Buss and his children.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
But citizenship has never functioned in such a simple way.
—Daisy Hernández, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
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
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Unlike contemporaries such as Nirvana, a punk band that wanted to shred the patriarchal rock hegemony of the ’80s, and Pearl Jam, which functioned as an exorcism for the soul night in and night out, Corgan never hid his rock star ambitions.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 June 2026
The Role Of Adaptability And Feedback Part of my role became understanding how this athlete functioned mentally and physically.
—Irma Davarashvili, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The original buildings also included the gym, PE locker room and a cafeteria that, for decades, also functioned as a stage for students and for events.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 1 June 2026
But the estate functioned as more than a single house.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The Lakers functioned as a family business for more than 45 years under the ownership of the late Jerry Buss and his children.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
But citizenship has never functioned in such a simple way.
—Daisy Hernández, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
-
Food and drink Undeniably decadent, with Maldivian lobster plucked straight from the sea and served at every turn—even in the omelette at breakfast.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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While the menu leans into comfort food classics like burgers, hearty breakfasts, and milkshakes, don’t miss the diner’s signature tenderloin, hand-breaded and served on a brioche bun with garlic mayo.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Midwest Living,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
India's regional peers have acted — some going beyond expectations — to get ahead of the inflation curve.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
McCarthy hasn't acted much since The Wire ended, as he's been focused on his filmmaking.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Each one she’s ever worked with has their own unique personality.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Director Max Winkler worked closely with the two actors to create a rapport that could inform their face-offs, which operate on rage and fear.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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