as in served
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
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Recent Examples of functioned
After examining the car, a forensic auto examiner also found that the brake and accelerator had all functioned properly—despite belief that a pedal may have been jammed or stuck.
—
Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026
Gevorkian has functioned as the Nets’ cap specialist for several years and has been involved in all trades.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
But citizenship has never functioned in such a simple way.
—Daisy Hernández, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
But the first baseman’s 12 years in Atlanta effectively functioned as an extension of Cox’s impact on the Braves’ organization.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 2026
How Sacramento media veterans remember Dick Cable The memorial functioned as a reunion of sorts for veterans of local broadcast news, attracting people like KFBK afternoon host Kitty O’Neal and former KCRA and News10 anchor Walt Gray.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Investigators say these operations functioned like businesses, with recruitment, management layers and structured systems designed to deceive victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
For decades, festivals functioned as a central nervous system for discovery, press, acquisition, and audience.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
As used by their aggressors, the camera functioned as a weapon.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Jake King-Schreifels, Time, 15 May 2026
Gevorkian has functioned as the Nets’ cap specialist for several years and has been involved in all trades.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
But citizenship has never functioned in such a simple way.
—Daisy Hernández, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
But the first baseman’s 12 years in Atlanta effectively functioned as an extension of Cox’s impact on the Braves’ organization.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 May 2026
How Sacramento media veterans remember Dick Cable The memorial functioned as a reunion of sorts for veterans of local broadcast news, attracting people like KFBK afternoon host Kitty O’Neal and former KCRA and News10 anchor Walt Gray.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
Investigators say these operations functioned like businesses, with recruitment, management layers and structured systems designed to deceive victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
For decades, festivals functioned as a central nervous system for discovery, press, acquisition, and audience.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
As used by their aggressors, the camera functioned as a weapon.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
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West, a three-time inductee to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, served as a special consultant with the Clippers from 2017 until his death in June 2024.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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One night early this spring, however, the Otis Bantum Correctional Center, on Rikers Island, served as the setting for something else—dinner with the Mayor.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Verb
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According to Stern, there is also guardianship paperwork, which has been signed by the children’s mother, that delegates parental authority to Omar, who Stern says has acted as a liaison for the children on school and medical matters because their mother does not speak English, per Rochester First.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Angus Scott also said ChatGPT acted as a medical doctor in its exchanges with his stepson, even though it was not licensed to offer medical advice.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The White Sox slugger worked a 1-1 count by taking a pair of pitches away.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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Instead of being found by quick switches of play, Grimaldo and Frimpong would often become involved in moves higher up the pitch after the ball had worked its way through Alonso’s midfield box (consisting of the two deeper midfielders and two No 10s).—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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