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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in activity
Related Words
as in acting
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of functioning
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
New Yorkers deserve and require a fully functioning and cohesive government.
—Kirsten John Foy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Police say the driver stopped at the non-functioning signal but did not see the teen in the crosswalk before proceeding.
—Tori Mason, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The winning team later enjoyed a luxury yacht complete with a private chef, while the losing team slept on the smallest vessel—without a functioning toilet.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The cozy accommodations are stocked with a selection of Southern books and some retain original features like non-functioning fireplaces.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
All of these elements help to preserve the youthful functioning of the skin, which helps tattoos look sharper and more colorful for longer.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 6 May 2026
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
Drug use to aid daily functioning is not a new phenomenon.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Her testimony focused in part on social communication, emotional processing, and executive functioning — evidence the defense is presenting as jurors weigh whether Horner should be sentenced to death or life without parole.
—Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Together, broadcasting and telecommunications account for more than $60 billion in the Canadian economy and provide essential infrastructure for the exchange of cultural and informational resources necessary for the functioning of a Canadian democratic society.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.
—Doug Brugge, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Red blood cells carry oxygen to our tissues, which is critical for proper functioning.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
O’Neil’s job is to keep LIV functioning and growing in the wake of the PIF announcement, which means his point of view is obviously slanted in that direction.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Among them was a woman selling homemade food out of the back of her car, and a man who was riding home on his bicycle from the store without a functioning headlight.
—Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
The finished home delivers on all fronts and is structured so that Martha and Jack have their own half of the place to enjoy, with the other half functioning as a guest suite for hosting their friends, family, and grandchildren.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Cleaning removable parts regularly prevents buildup and keeps them functioning well.
—Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
On April 29, a reporter asked him outside his office how the Senate can keep functioning amid the latest logistical turmoil in the House.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Most prominently was Hugh Hayden’s permanent new sculpture, a functioning chapel that ingeniously bends at an acute angle.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
With the announcement of Mythos, Anthropic has been effectively functioning as a geopolitical actor, briefing ally governments on the model’s capabilities.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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
New Yorkers deserve and require a fully functioning and cohesive government.
—Kirsten John Foy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Police say the driver stopped at the non-functioning signal but did not see the teen in the crosswalk before proceeding.
—Tori Mason, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The winning team later enjoyed a luxury yacht complete with a private chef, while the losing team slept on the smallest vessel—without a functioning toilet.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The cozy accommodations are stocked with a selection of Southern books and some retain original features like non-functioning fireplaces.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Keeping a household functioning is actually a high-stakes tactical mission requiring constant maintenance and an iron will.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 May 2026
All of these elements help to preserve the youthful functioning of the skin, which helps tattoos look sharper and more colorful for longer.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 6 May 2026
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
Drug use to aid daily functioning is not a new phenomenon.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Her testimony focused in part on social communication, emotional processing, and executive functioning — evidence the defense is presenting as jurors weigh whether Horner should be sentenced to death or life without parole.
—Lauren Crawford, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Together, broadcasting and telecommunications account for more than $60 billion in the Canadian economy and provide essential infrastructure for the exchange of cultural and informational resources necessary for the functioning of a Canadian democratic society.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.
—Doug Brugge, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Red blood cells carry oxygen to our tissues, which is critical for proper functioning.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Half of the land is dedicated to vineyards, allowing guests to experience what feels less like a hotel stay than temporary residence inside a functioning Provençal winery.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
O’Neil’s job is to keep LIV functioning and growing in the wake of the PIF announcement, which means his point of view is obviously slanted in that direction.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Among them was a woman selling homemade food out of the back of her car, and a man who was riding home on his bicycle from the store without a functioning headlight.
—Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
The finished home delivers on all fronts and is structured so that Martha and Jack have their own half of the place to enjoy, with the other half functioning as a guest suite for hosting their friends, family, and grandchildren.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Cleaning removable parts regularly prevents buildup and keeps them functioning well.
—Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
On April 29, a reporter asked him outside his office how the Senate can keep functioning amid the latest logistical turmoil in the House.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Most prominently was Hugh Hayden’s permanent new sculpture, a functioning chapel that ingeniously bends at an acute angle.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
With the announcement of Mythos, Anthropic has been effectively functioning as a geopolitical actor, briefing ally governments on the model’s capabilities.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioning
Adjective
-
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.—
Rachel Nostrant,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As a result, the central government took drastic steps in 2020 to rein in a freewheeling property sector that once accounted for 30% of the country’s economic activity.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
Children are welcome at the aforementioned main pool, and the hotel’s version of a kids club, called Seedlings, offers cooking classes, ukulele lessons, and outdoor activities that focus on exploring the natural world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Rousey left the sport after consecutive losses, while Carano moved on to an acting career after taking her first loss.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
These themes emerged out of conversations Dusabejambo had with these actual women, traumatized and/or guilty, before casting them in the film despite no acting experience.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Israel was reportedly the first nation to use the F-35 in actual combat operations, demonstrating the aircraft’s operational readiness and effectiveness in modern warfare environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
That would be followed by an orbital free-flyer called Vortex-S, and the Vortex-C operational cargo transport vehicle with a total mass of about 8 to 9 metric tons.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The tiered design is complemented by a functional front button placket for easy customization, and the billowy sleeves add movement.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2026
-
Opt for the signature Polynesian massage, which mimics soothing wave-like movements from head to toe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Jeffries, who was serving as a House impeachment manager, posited an answer.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Ted told her about his time serving as a Special Forces Green Beret.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Party is unapologetically the operative word for the ACMs, even down to the extent that many of the awards are being announced prior to airtime, to have few speeches on the show when that time could be used for music.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
But the company is also opening a new fulfilment center in Giessen, in western Germany, which should be fully operative by the end of 2027.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
After a 27-point performance in the first game, Brittney Sykes had 14 points by halftime in the rematch and finished with a career-high 38.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Wild-eyed in a register that ranges from dreamy to terrified to stunned into submission, her performance is the most honestly felt thing here.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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