Synonyms of functioning

functioning 1 of 3

adjective

as in operating

being in effective operation

looked for a functioning washing machine, but the few that weren't broken were in use

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operating
• operational
• operative
• functional
• running
• working
• active
• going
• on
• in force
• operable
• live
• alive
• living
• in commission
• on line
• effective
• viable
• in gear
• producing
• effectual
• usable
• useful
• performing
• serving
• employable
• flourishing
• workable
• productive
• humming
• dynamic
• thriving
• busy
• yielding
• bustling
• astir
• roaring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• broken
• dead
• nonfunctioning
• inoperative
• inactive
• nonfunctional
• nonoperative
• useless
• nonoperational
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• nonactivated
• nonoperating
• kaput
• deactivated
• unusable
• inoperable
• decommissioned
• arrested
• inert
• unworkable
• idle
• dormant
• latent
• quiescent
• lifeless
• sleepy
• unproductive
• fallow
• asleep
• nonproductive
• stagnating
• vegetating

functioning

2 of 3

noun

as in activity

Related Words

• activity
• movement
• performance
• work
• system
• enterprise
• project
• program
• achievement
• approach
• undertaking
• plan
• design
• strategy
• attainment
• accomplishment
• arrangement
• layout
• method
• formula
• mode
• scheme
• manner
• technique
• style
• process
• blueprint
• operation
• plot
• game plan
• ground plan
• form
• way
• procedure
• recipe
• fashion
• proceeding
• drill
• routine
• course

functioning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of function

as in acting

to have a certain purpose

the heart functions as a pump for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• acting
• serving
• working
• operating
• performing
• regulating
• controlling
• managing
• running
• handling
• administering
• guiding
• supervising
• directing
• carrying on
• overseeing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of functioning

Adjective

Parenting a child comes with unique stressors, from small daily hassles like getting kids out the door on time for school to the bigger assignment of raising a functioning, happy and healthy human. — Daniel M. Bagner, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Two years later, that land was a functioning commercial development with healthcare services, co-working space, community banking and retail tenants serving a neighborhood that had none of those things before. — Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

And the park once held a record for the country’s smallest functioning post office, a groovy dome hiding a real postal employee. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

The location had critical issues with non-functioning refrigeration units, which led to food being stored at unsafe temperatures, city officials said. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026

Collins says cleaning a functioning or newer dryer once every two years is sufficient to clear our major blocks and prevent more serious complications, such as clogs that can lead to fires. — Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026

Investigators say the error was compounded by non-functioning signal systems along with failures in staffing, oversight and maintenance during years of delays in safety upgrades. — ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026

Velasquez said Chait placed a strong emphasis on communication, recalling that district leaders recently sent administrators guidance on reassuring families that schools would remain safe and functioning. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026

At the same time, Maguire ventured into opposition territory to serve as an emergency centre-forward — rarely a sign of a functioning game plan. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Noun

Doing more than one thing at once, especially on screens, can become addictive, which harms the functioning of our brain and nervous system. — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026

What’s more concerning is a persistent decline that interferes with everyday functioning. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026

Now, if data collection is important for the product’s functioning, and thus the business model, the proxy infrastructure placement might need reevaluation. — Mindaugas Čaplinskas, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Men deserve care that looks past a single number and considers diagnosis, ongoing monitoring, and daily functioning. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

In this case, the framework is based on physical features that are essential for cellular functioning. — Mike McRae 04, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Western Pacific’s program addresses all aspects of recovery, reducing drug use, improving social functioning and shrinking the risk of overdose and other negative health outcomes. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026

Hospital was vital site for journalists News agencies like Reuters and AP supplied live video footage to newsrooms around the world from the hospital, one of the few functioning in Gaza at the time. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

At each developmental stage, Montessori teachers work to develop children’s decision-making skills, which are part of a larger focus on executive functioning. — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

Some even called for a national dictator who could take the crisis in hand and get the economy functioning again. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Sophisticated technology cannot substitute for experienced people, functioning networks, practiced relationships, and institutions capable of making defensible decisions under uncertainty. — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 26 Sep. 2026

Several types of professional therapy can help improve cognition, self-care, self-awareness, and daily functioning for people who have schizophrenia. — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2026

Iran was among the most prominent issues heading into the meeting, as Iran relies heavily on Chinese oil purchases and indirect support to keep its crippled economy functioning. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026

Keep your electric stove burners looking and functioning like new. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026

The company revealed that the users can create a private multi-screen workspace, with flat surfaces functioning as virtual keyboards and touchpads. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026

That is a functioning offense, a meaningful improvement from last season. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Instead of functioning only as a defensive layer that limits what organizations can do, security can enable what becomes possible. — Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026