as in served
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of functioned
In these moments, AI functioned less as a final answer and more as a brainstorming tool that helped students move past the blank page.
—
Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Laparoscopy had functioned as a diagnostic gatekeeper.
—Sarah Berg, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Cacao beans also functioned as a form of currency, giving them both symbolic and practical value.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The white-and-black house bears 2,287 square feet of sprawling living space that spans three floors—and notably, a remodeled basement that once functioned as a bar.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2026
The Writers Guild of America negotiations are due to begin on Monday, which functioned as a hard deadline on the SAG-AFTRA talks.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Opened in 2019, The Artisan’s Palate has functioned as a true community space, where NoDa visitors and hipsters alike converge to take in art and globally inspired, locally sourced small plates.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Before employers expanded coverage and before Costco entered the picture, everyday women started documenting their fertility journeys publicly — on TikTok, Instagram, and in Facebook groups that functioned as digital support networks.
—Allison Palmer
march 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
The passageway functioned as a social hub — a place for passing through, chatting, and socializing.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Laparoscopy had functioned as a diagnostic gatekeeper.
—Sarah Berg, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Cacao beans also functioned as a form of currency, giving them both symbolic and practical value.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
The white-and-black house bears 2,287 square feet of sprawling living space that spans three floors—and notably, a remodeled basement that once functioned as a bar.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2026
The Writers Guild of America negotiations are due to begin on Monday, which functioned as a hard deadline on the SAG-AFTRA talks.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Opened in 2019, The Artisan’s Palate has functioned as a true community space, where NoDa visitors and hipsters alike converge to take in art and globally inspired, locally sourced small plates.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Before employers expanded coverage and before Costco entered the picture, everyday women started documenting their fertility journeys publicly — on TikTok, Instagram, and in Facebook groups that functioned as digital support networks.
—Allison Palmer
march 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
The passageway functioned as a social hub — a place for passing through, chatting, and socializing.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
-
After bagels and coffee were served, the participants began sharing feelings that many had been afraid to articulate—including discomfort with narratives that cast Israel solely as a victim, and shame about the escalating civilian death toll in Gaza.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Shepherd has also served on his homeowners’ association board and is a parent.—
Nathan Pilling
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The man who crashed an explosive-laden truck into a Michigan synagogue where scores of children were at daycare acted as an operative of Hezbollah, the foreign terrorist organization based in Lebanon, federal officials said March 30.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Firms acted like the metaphorical kid in a candy store with talent, grabbing every shiny new candidate that crossed their applicant tracking system, with some, like Amazon, even doubling their headcount between 2019 and 2021.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Abbott’s use of AL16 as a marketing tool worked.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Randolph and Sullivan had worked together in earlier assignments.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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