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
Although labeled a lateral move, this punitive transfer functioned as a demotion in responsibility, stature, and opportunity.
—
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The rooms also functioned as high security storage vaults for identity papers and mission reports of MI5 and MI6 agents.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Amid relentless criticism, Bad Bunny gave us a moment in which enjoyment and pride functioned as resistance.
—Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
This wasn’t a decision that NBC Sports president Rick Cordella had to agonize over, as Snoop’s performance as the Olympics’ Ambassador of Good Vibes essentially functioned as a masterclass in what makes for good TV.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
For decades, the restaurant functioned as a gathering place for musicians, neighborhood regulars and generations of diners who watched the surrounding corridor transform.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
The vibes and junior hockey tactics that functioned early in his tenure seem to have lost all efficacy.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Historically, most estate transfers functioned as pass-through transactions.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
During the Covid-19 pandemic, detention facilities, jails, and prisons repeatedly functioned as accelerators of transmission, fueling outbreaks that spread to staff, families, and surrounding communities.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The rooms also functioned as high security storage vaults for identity papers and mission reports of MI5 and MI6 agents.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Amid relentless criticism, Bad Bunny gave us a moment in which enjoyment and pride functioned as resistance.
—Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
This wasn’t a decision that NBC Sports president Rick Cordella had to agonize over, as Snoop’s performance as the Olympics’ Ambassador of Good Vibes essentially functioned as a masterclass in what makes for good TV.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
For decades, the restaurant functioned as a gathering place for musicians, neighborhood regulars and generations of diners who watched the surrounding corridor transform.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
The vibes and junior hockey tactics that functioned early in his tenure seem to have lost all efficacy.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Historically, most estate transfers functioned as pass-through transactions.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
During the Covid-19 pandemic, detention facilities, jails, and prisons repeatedly functioned as accelerators of transmission, fueling outbreaks that spread to staff, families, and surrounding communities.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
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John served as the general counsel for an Arkansas community bank.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Confrontations involving federal agents have routinely been captured on video from multiple angles, which later served to discount parts of the government’s narrative of events.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The UConn athletic department acted fast after coach Dan Hurley – and Georgetown coach Ed Cooley – commented on the lack of enthusiasm from the home crowd and some empty seats at men’s basketball games this season.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Advertisement White, who believes Stephen acted on impulse, is unequivocal about how his character feels in that moment.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More famously, Sven Marquardt, worked as a selector for Berghain for almost two decades.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The move to Connecticut came later, and Bessette also worked throughout her teen-age years.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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