functions 1 of 2

plural of function
1
2
3

functions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of function

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of functions
Noun
The company rates the series at up to 1,800 lumens with a maximum beam distance of 215 meters; ArkTac Ultra adds a green laser alongside UV and red-light functions. — Connie Etemadi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 One reason why the shop floor has been overlooked is because the enterprise software industry has focused most heavily on developing digital transformation solutions for corporate functions that are very similar from one company to the next. — Naveen Poonian, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Reuters reported that British digital bank Revolut experienced a related service disruption, affecting functions including card payments and ATM withdrawals. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 Defendants shall maintain separate identifiable operational functions for the Legacy Paramount Streaming Business and the Acquired Streaming Business. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026 With gift lists, decor and travel often landing in the same stretch, early buying functions as a quiet form of financial pacing. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026 Know your supply chain, extend visibility to raw material, connect data across functions, automate compliance monitoring and build documentation readiness. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Verification, Tambe said, gets more complicated when an agent’s work crosses organizational functions. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 All ran the core functions, including motion sensing, walking control, on-device vision, and interaction. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Building governance in advance, before any specific deal requires it, produces something that functions because it was designed to function. — Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Many commercial leases and client contracts require proof of general liability coverage before a business can even sign, which often functions as a de facto requirement for many Kansas small businesses even without a state mandate behind it. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 But the bird, which gets named Intruder, functions more as a MacGuffin to keep the plot moving, pushing Brooke and Nelson closer together. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 The bakery also functions as a commissary kitchen, keeping De Lutz’s lines of customers full of boules and baguettes, ideally for years to come. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 In April, software developer Noah Iarrobino released Carrier Pidge, which functions almost identically to Roost. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The New Mexico estate also functions as a working ranch, with a complete equestrian setup with 12 stalls, paddocks, a fenced arena, a hot walker, and a round pen. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026 The danger is that governments and markets grow accustomed to a Strait of Hormuz that functions only intermittently and misinterpret the stopgap as a resolution. — Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The Qidi Box also functions as a four-spool filament dryer capable of reaching 149 degrees F, which immediately made the entire package feel more engineering-focused than hobby-oriented. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functions
Noun
  • Hundreds also turned out for a No Kings protest in Boise Saturday, one of 3,000 such events nationwide aimed at mobilizing early voters.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Part of its purpose, from the beginning, was not only to deliver new facts but to interpret ragged events for a nervous audience of relatively prosperous, largely white viewers who shared Wallace’s concern about the shape and tenor of the future.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike traditional sports betting, prediction markets function more like exchanges, with participants taking positions against one another rather than against a house.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Artists tracked Gosling’s on-set performance and recreated it within digital environments, allowing Fraser to choose new camera positions without discarding the original acting.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For example, in 2025, IBM replaced hundreds of traditional HR roles with autonomous AI agents that automated 94% of routine administrative queries.
    — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Although his roles were ostensibly romantic leads, Astaire had an almost radically unorthodox appeal—one that, in its urbanity, cosmopolitanism, elegance, and grace, challenged the prevailing standards for male movie stardom.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Dry mode acts as a dehumidifier, removing moisture from the air, and in Eco mode, the compressor and fan run at low speeds to conserve energy.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Oxygen released from the barrier acts as an etching agent, suppressing unwanted crystal formation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Talarico outlined ways both parties could come together to find solutions.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Their presence has fueled social tensions in Ceuta and become a political issue across Spain, where opposition parties hope to use migration concerns to unseat the progressive government in next month's elections.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The protection of American jobs justified the chains of bondage, or so the argument went.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Engagement is often seen as a metric about sentiment that can be measured and tracked, but is treated as something employees bring—or fail to bring—to their jobs.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Combined with its co-founders' pledge to donate 80% of their equity and an employee donation matching program, roughly 20% of Anthropic's shares will be dedicated to public purposes, excluding any additional shares added later.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Preliminary findings indicate Wilcher accessed it on multiple occasions for non-law enforcement purposes, the GBI said.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Speculation also serves an important function in helping markets operate efficiently.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The orchard and cidery serves pizzas and pastas alongside hot or cold cider, and hosts live music as folks linger along the outdoor tables with drinks and games.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Functions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functions. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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