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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of functioning
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
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
At this stage, your vending business is a functioning, revenue-generating enterprise, which significantly lowers adjudicatory risk.
—
Raheel Sheikh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Naira Velumyan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Studies show that orgasms also relieve menstrual pain, lower blood pressure, enhance circulation, correlate with better cardiac functioning, and burn calories equivalent to thirty minutes of brisk walking.
—
Melanie Thernstrom,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
There are many components of cognitive health, including attention, memory, and executive functioning.
—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
21 June 2026
Guests complete cognitive-skills assessments that analyze the brain’s processing speed, visual memory, and executive functioning, then move into personalized drills and strategies.
—
Melinda Fulmer,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
The researchers found that higher BMI over time led to more rapid declines in cognitive functions, memory and executive functioning than what is typically seen in aging adults, such as managing emotions, organizing and planning tasks, concentrating, and more.
—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Pelvic floor disorders can occur when these muscles and tissues are too weak or too tight or don’t facilitate the proper functioning of these organs for other reasons.
—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
9 June 2026
Also lying latent was a decline in the bipartisan functioning of Congress.
—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Consistent short sleep, however, has been linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning, while chronic sleep deprivation is associated with more serious long-term health risks.
—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Senthil Muthu,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Despite how straightforward the control panel seems, certain settings can prevent your AC from functioning at its best when the heat gets real.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
29 June 2026
Rather than functioning as a static archive, organizers envision the Manifesto Library as an active cultural space centered on reading, debate and public participation.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
26 June 2026
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 60% of medical facilities in Port-au-Prince have been closed or are only partly functioning.
—
Tirana Hassan,
Time,
26 June 2026
There’s a full, functioning restaurant, run by a full, functioning family.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 June 2026
The attacking midfield combination between Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala is not really functioning yet, with neither player in prime form.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
Muscles involved in breathing may stop functioning properly.
—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
The sheriff said the boy, who was homeschooled, may have been a high-functioning autistic child who would typically play with other kids in the trailer park.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Adjective
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
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
At this stage, your vending business is a functioning, revenue-generating enterprise, which significantly lowers adjudicatory risk.
—
Raheel Sheikh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
Hence, the organization’s goals becoming personally meaningful to people promotes the organization’s functioning.
—
Naira Velumyan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Studies show that orgasms also relieve menstrual pain, lower blood pressure, enhance circulation, correlate with better cardiac functioning, and burn calories equivalent to thirty minutes of brisk walking.
—
Melanie Thernstrom,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
There are many components of cognitive health, including attention, memory, and executive functioning.
—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
21 June 2026
Guests complete cognitive-skills assessments that analyze the brain’s processing speed, visual memory, and executive functioning, then move into personalized drills and strategies.
—
Melinda Fulmer,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
The researchers found that higher BMI over time led to more rapid declines in cognitive functions, memory and executive functioning than what is typically seen in aging adults, such as managing emotions, organizing and planning tasks, concentrating, and more.
—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Pelvic floor disorders can occur when these muscles and tissues are too weak or too tight or don’t facilitate the proper functioning of these organs for other reasons.
—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
9 June 2026
Also lying latent was a decline in the bipartisan functioning of Congress.
—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Consistent short sleep, however, has been linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning, while chronic sleep deprivation is associated with more serious long-term health risks.
—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
Resilience asks, can the system absorb a blow and keep functioning?
—
Senthil Muthu,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Despite how straightforward the control panel seems, certain settings can prevent your AC from functioning at its best when the heat gets real.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
29 June 2026
Rather than functioning as a static archive, organizers envision the Manifesto Library as an active cultural space centered on reading, debate and public participation.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
26 June 2026
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 60% of medical facilities in Port-au-Prince have been closed or are only partly functioning.
—
Tirana Hassan,
Time,
26 June 2026
There’s a full, functioning restaurant, run by a full, functioning family.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 June 2026
The attacking midfield combination between Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala is not really functioning yet, with neither player in prime form.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
Muscles involved in breathing may stop functioning properly.
—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
The sheriff said the boy, who was homeschooled, may have been a high-functioning autistic child who would typically play with other kids in the trailer park.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioning
Adjective
-
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.
-
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.
Noun
-
Officials accused her in the letter of violating the university’s time, place and manner policy, which sets rules on free speech activities on campus.
-
As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke).
Verb
-
It is stored in an inactive form in cells such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and immune system—acting as the body’s reserve bank, indicating how much iron is available for future use.
-
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, said on Sunday that more than 12,000 people have been displaced by the earthquakes and 774 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including hospitals.
Adjective
-
Adding to this context, engineering manager Roel Verhoeven noted that the primary hurdle for commercial fusion is ensuring that plants can actually be serviced throughout their operational lifespans.
-
North Korea first unveiled the Choe Hyon in April 2025, which Kim portrayed as a major step toward expanding his military’s operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities.
Noun
-
Officials say the data collected helps solve and deter crime by, for example, allowing law enforcement to track a criminal’s movements.
-
In the years since, the bird, affectionately dubbed Pinky, has inspired a movement.
Verb
-
Two Latinos are running in this year’s election to replace Councilmember Curren Price, who is Black and retiring after serving the maximum three terms.
-
That collection includes serving trays, platters, linens, vases, and wine goblets with pops of blues and yellows for a coastal vibe.
Adjective
-
The automatic stay halts proceedings but doesn't compel creditors to undo pre-petition filings without operative effect.
-
Helms-Burton is, three decades after its enactment, fully operative against both categories of defendants, at least where Cuban entities are concerned.
Noun
-
Some critics on social media counter that the gatherings risk turning spirituality into spectacle, performance and commodity all at once.
-
Rendon’s attitude and performance became so disappointing that the Angels effectively told him to stay away in 2026 and restructured the final year of his contract.
Cite this Entry
“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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