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

Correctly identifying a defect is only one part of a functioning inspection process. — Rajesh Iyengar, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Others have overwhelmingly positive experiences before growing into highly functioning adults. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

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

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

Noun

In early-onset Alzheimer's, higher tau burden was more closely tied to worse scores on tests of memory and daily functioning, suggesting tau may be a more direct driver of symptoms in this group. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026

Research also consistently shows that giving children breaks each day for recess has immense benefits for their mental health and the executive functioning skills that support academic achievement. — Louisa Penfold, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026

But their effects on memory and functioning are modest, and many scientists are skeptical of their significance. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026

Preliminary research suggests qigong may help improve mood, cognitive functioning, immunity and pain, with potential benefits for heart health and overall quality of life, according to VeryWell Mind. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

The chain of events that led to disaster started when the communication system key to the functioning of the security system on the Madrid-Seville line went down. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

The chain of events that led to the disaster started when the communication system key to the functioning of the security system on the Madrid-Seville line went down. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Cannabis impairs cognitive functioning and can be particularly detrimental to young brains that are still developing. — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

Plants use them to make their light-catching chlorophyll, while bacteria make similar cyclic compounds for their own functioning. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

Verb

The museum’s example is only missing a functioning portable life support system (PLSS), as all the backpacks are still needed for use. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Military bases would need reliable fuel distribution, water treatment, secure communications, functioning maintenance systems and personnel capable of operating under emergency conditions. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Fearing the shopping street would stop functioning if visitors stayed away, the association took action. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

In functioning market settings, price discovery and competition ensure this tendency. — Tony Lo Sasso, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026

Participants with higher anhedonia scores also had higher high-functioning depression scores. — Allison Aubrey, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026

But training someone to make a living is different from creating the conditions – a functioning market, infrastructure, mentorship and networks – in which that person can succeed. — Charles Wratto, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026

As the head of Real Estate Management Services at commercial property giant JLL, Murray oversees an organization of more than 88,000 people responsible for keeping the nearly 6 billion square feet of buildings in his purview functioning daily. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

That figure includes functioning satellites, inactive spacecraft, rocket bodies and debris. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026