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
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
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
Trista Chan, Health, 25 May 2026
Restoring agriculture to baseline functioning appears to require approximately $55 billion.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The grid of international borders must therefore be ever more militarized, or else the system of states—which is now explicitly a class system, whose functioning depends on mass immobilization—cannot work.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
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
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
But functioning democracies and stable markets still require broad consensus about what constitutes evidence, truth, and reality.
—Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Stable economies and open markets depend on predictability, functioning institutions and cooperation between states.
—María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Probably because at the time many of the time signatures and chordal progressions that Miles used were over the head of a young guitar player still functioning in the blues and folk idioms.
—Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
As with Iran’s frozen assets, sanctions imposed on Iran will only be lifted once the Strait of Hormuz is open and fully functioning again, a US official told CNN.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Cleaning your remote control and speakers prevents dust build-up and keeps your TV accessories functioning well.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
Instead, hormone signals and the glands that produce them are part of a communication system that organises every cell, turning collections of independently functioning cells, tissues and organs into an interconnected human body.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
The scientists hope to recover lithium directly from underground brines, while at the same time allow geothermal operations to continue functioning normally.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 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
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
Noun
Studies have found that regularly eating fish is associated with improved sleep quality, falling asleep more easily, and better daytime functioning.
—Trista Chan, Health, 25 May 2026
Restoring agriculture to baseline functioning appears to require approximately $55 billion.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The grid of international borders must therefore be ever more militarized, or else the system of states—which is now explicitly a class system, whose functioning depends on mass immobilization—cannot work.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
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
Verb
The stakes couldn’t be higher given that a competitive, functioning insurance market is crucial to homeownership and to bolstering the state’s business climate.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
But functioning democracies and stable markets still require broad consensus about what constitutes evidence, truth, and reality.
—Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Stable economies and open markets depend on predictability, functioning institutions and cooperation between states.
—María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Probably because at the time many of the time signatures and chordal progressions that Miles used were over the head of a young guitar player still functioning in the blues and folk idioms.
—Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
As with Iran’s frozen assets, sanctions imposed on Iran will only be lifted once the Strait of Hormuz is open and fully functioning again, a US official told CNN.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Cleaning your remote control and speakers prevents dust build-up and keeps your TV accessories functioning well.
—Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
Instead, hormone signals and the glands that produce them are part of a communication system that organises every cell, turning collections of independently functioning cells, tissues and organs into an interconnected human body.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
The scientists hope to recover lithium directly from underground brines, while at the same time allow geothermal operations to continue functioning normally.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 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
-
Martian volcanoes appear to be dormant right now, but that former activity left behind the largest tunnel network in the solar system.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
25 May 2026
-
It's advised for those with respiratory or heart-related issues to limit outdoor activity this afternoon.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Anxious attachment involves fear of abandonment, intense need for closeness, difficulty acting independently especially with major decisions, and preoccupation with relationships as a way to feel good about themselves.—
Emily Shiffer,
Parents,
24 May 2026
-
The experiment is that AI is being made available nationally and globally, which is either overtly or insidiously acting to provide mental health guidance of one kind or another.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, since’s Duffy’s 2025 declarations, both Blue Origin and SpaceX have announced operational changes aimed at demonstrating their commitment to NASA’s moon plans.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
-
Mussio said the company is asking for the tax abatement to reduce some of the facility’s operational costs early on as it gets established.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The closures stop halfway down and transition into a slit, allowing for plenty of movement, and shoppers appreciate that the midweight denim feels sturdy while still offering a comfortable bit of stretch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
25 May 2026
-
Plus, the adjustable shoulder straps help alleviate shoulder pressure and minimize bouncing during movement.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Transfer to the refrigerator before serving to give it time to chill.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
-
After serving seven terms in the House, the maverick Massie was defeated in a May 19 race by Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Post-operative care is provided with a special kit containing shampoos, lotions, and medical products, and the clinic maintains high hygiene standards by sanitizing procedure rooms through ultraviolet technology.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
And with knee surgeries, rehab is most important in the early stages of post-operative recovery.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Glad his team won, Detmers considers Sunday’s game his second-best career performance after his no-hitter.—
Joaquin Ruiz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
Smaller, open boats and high-performance power boats with low freeboards have the best chance of surviving a storm if taken out of the water, according to the Boat Owners Association of The United States.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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