1
as in events
a social gathering
made a brief appearance at the annual holiday function
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in positions
an assignment at which one regularly works for pay
what's your function in this company?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in roles
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists
that machine's function is to sort bolts by size
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Paul Goydan, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Nadler and the OpenEvidence team aim to expand the service’s AI notetaking, billing and visit integration functions in the coming years.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Brands that successfully merge these functions will turn their real estate from a traditional overhead cost into a high-yield engine for online and offline growth.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Bottom line Mint’s shutdown was frustrating for many who had relied on the app for years to manage their budgets and perform other functions in one place.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The street functions much like a mall, only with the charm and cachet that comes from being situated on a leafy West Village street.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 May 2026
Araújo said the contamination can cause genetic and structural harm in amphibians, including changes to blood cells and DNA, and the particles can build up in tissues and alter normal body functions.
—Ryan Brennan
may 12, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
To do this, engineers introduced defects into the material and then exposed it to reentry-like conditions inside the plasma tunnel to better understand how the system functions under off-nominal conditions.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Many are small, inexpensive fixes that improve how your home functions.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2026
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
If working families feel more secure and the legislature actually functions as a democratic body, that’s success.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Like many of Isfahan’s bridges, Si-o-Se Pol also functions as a dam, helping to control water flow in the area.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
But every outbreak now also functions as an opportunity to monetize on viral misinformation.
—Katrine Wallace, STAT, 8 May 2026
And women, especially younger consumers, are rediscovering the appeal of a watch that functions less like a gadget and more like a piece of personal style.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
This big-hearted gesture is part of the ethos of The Wiener’s Circle, a Chicago institution that functions as both hot dog stand and local landmark.
—Jimmy Jellinek, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Free up that space for holiday décor that functions properly and is aligned with your current tastes.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
For savers with a larger balance, like $50,000, a money market account also functions as an effective emergency fund vehicle.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
That can enable major cost reductions, especially in functions like HR, finance, customer service, and IT.
—Paul Goydan, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Nadler and the OpenEvidence team aim to expand the service’s AI notetaking, billing and visit integration functions in the coming years.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Brands that successfully merge these functions will turn their real estate from a traditional overhead cost into a high-yield engine for online and offline growth.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Bottom line Mint’s shutdown was frustrating for many who had relied on the app for years to manage their budgets and perform other functions in one place.
—Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The street functions much like a mall, only with the charm and cachet that comes from being situated on a leafy West Village street.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 May 2026
Araújo said the contamination can cause genetic and structural harm in amphibians, including changes to blood cells and DNA, and the particles can build up in tissues and alter normal body functions.
—Ryan Brennan
may 12, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
To do this, engineers introduced defects into the material and then exposed it to reentry-like conditions inside the plasma tunnel to better understand how the system functions under off-nominal conditions.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 May 2026
Many are small, inexpensive fixes that improve how your home functions.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2026
Verb
Yet masculinism also functions as a perpetual-motion machine of grievance, an inarticulate howl of anguish at the status quo—whatever that currently is.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
If working families feel more secure and the legislature actually functions as a democratic body, that’s success.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Like many of Isfahan’s bridges, Si-o-Se Pol also functions as a dam, helping to control water flow in the area.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
But every outbreak now also functions as an opportunity to monetize on viral misinformation.
—Katrine Wallace, STAT, 8 May 2026
And women, especially younger consumers, are rediscovering the appeal of a watch that functions less like a gadget and more like a piece of personal style.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
This big-hearted gesture is part of the ethos of The Wiener’s Circle, a Chicago institution that functions as both hot dog stand and local landmark.
—Jimmy Jellinek, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
Free up that space for holiday décor that functions properly and is aligned with your current tastes.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
For savers with a larger balance, like $50,000, a money market account also functions as an effective emergency fund vehicle.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functions
Noun
-
During the all-day hearing Friday, the owners of both companies took the stand to give their often starkly different views of events.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Most days at Bluebird will feature free live music and other entertainment events.—
Michael Deeds
Updated May 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Congress approve an additional $44 million to the BIS to combat illicit export of technology and additional set of full- and -part-time positions devoted to export enforcement, AI executive order implementation, and modernization—all directed toward this exact issue.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
In a separate vote, the board approved cutting 221 classified, or non-educator, positions.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Cotillard’s daughter, 9, and son, 15, are encouraging their mother to accept more leading roles in studio films.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Essential worker roles include healthcare positions, teachers, military members, fire and police officers, charity workers, social workers, government employees, supermarket staff, and delivery and transport staff.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Magnesium also acts as a calcium blocker.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
12 May 2026
-
Thankfully for the Tigers, the AL Central acts as a defibrillator, life vest and oxygen tank all rolled into one.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s a friendly reception area with a giant chalkboard informing guests of local events, ranging from in-house parties to full moon nights at the Acropolis and big name gigs by the touring artists.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
The surrogacy process has safeguards in place to ensure the safety of all parties involved.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Mom worked multiple jobs while also studying but sacrificed everything to make sure her son and daughter could have a bright future.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
And thousands of jobs have been cut in the process, with web infrastructure company Cloudflare and cryptocurrency firm Coinbase among the latest to announce staff cuts.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
For all intents and purposes, the bulk of the offseason acquisition for the Dallas Cowboys is wrapped up.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
-
Water conservation The communities of Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Orion Township have urged all of their residents to conserve water and use it only for necessary purposes.—
Nicholas Lentz,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Complementing this portrait, executive producer Katie Lee Biegel serves as culinary consultant and food stylist, working alongside executive producer Ryan Biegel, to help bring the restaurant’s menu and culinary artistry vividly to life.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
In addition to her writing duties, Kazan serves as co-showrunner and executive producer, with Jeb Stuart on as co-showrunner and executive producer as well.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functions. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
