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

But the right’s majority in the legislature could hinder the smooth functioning of his new administration. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

After, networks that process emotions and internal states were activated longer, and a network that supports executive functioning was activated for less time. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Creatine helps the recharge that takes place in the brain to support your functioning. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

The earlier one watches people labor to keep a difficult tie functioning. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

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

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