1
as in operational
being in effective operation
I don't think that vending machine is functional, so don't put money into it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in useful
capable of being put to use or account
a functional knowledge of auto mechanics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose
a very functional kitchen utensil for peeling potatoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of functional
According to the city update, the building has serious functional issues, including outdated systems, infrastructure problems and noncompliance with safety and accessibility standards.
—
Graydon Megan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The shirt has a chest pocket that’s eye-catching and functional.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
The Patriots are not good enough, not deep enough, not functional enough to compete next season without a major talent infusion beyond Sunday’s addition of ex-Titans edge rusher Harold Landry.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
Like many small towns in Norway, much of it was rebuilt after World War II, giving it a functional rather than charming appearance.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Graydon Megan, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The shirt has a chest pocket that’s eye-catching and functional.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
The Patriots are not good enough, not deep enough, not functional enough to compete next season without a major talent infusion beyond Sunday’s addition of ex-Titans edge rusher Harold Landry.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
Like many small towns in Norway, much of it was rebuilt after World War II, giving it a functional rather than charming appearance.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
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During operational missions, SpaceX plans to bring both Super Heavy and Ship back to Starbase for launch-tower catches.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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Trevis Stall was named vice president of supply chain, bringing 25 years of operational experience to the role.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump sees tariffs as a useful tool of American economic power.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Acupuncture may be a safe, useful tool for both chronic pain management in the general population and for fighting insomnia among people in perimenopause.—
Mara Santilli,
Flow Space,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For those who refuse to wait, units are available for immediate purchase straight from the showroom floor.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The 1975 have a new live album that’s now streaming and available to pre-order on limited edition vinyl.—
Ashley Iasimone,
Billboard,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Under Proposition 309, voters casting mail-in ballots could provide a driver's license or non-operating identification license number, the last four digits of a social security number, or a unique identifying number provided by the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
The Arizona Republic,
27 Oct. 2022
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The adjusted net income decreased by 8% y-o-y to $3.9 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to higher expenses as a % of revenues and lower non-operating income.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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The Alien and Enemies Act is also only applicable under the conditions of war, which has not yet been declared by Congress, according to the Brennan Center.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
15 Mar. 2025
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Programs designed to meet the needs of this demographic often focus on equipping students with skills that are not just theoretical but highly applicable in the workplace.—
Maja Zelihic,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Grants are earmarked for medical and vital living expenses, including insurance premiums, prescriptions, medical treatment and operative procedures, housing, food, utilities and other basic necessities.—
Andrea Zarczynski,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Above all, efficiency — that is the operative word that will help transform the federal government from a hulking, bloated bureaucracy into a nimble machine, like swapping a 1995 Compaq desktop PC for a 2025 MacBook Pro.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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What started as a practical swap in immigrant communities became a beloved holiday meal—one that still brings people together, even as its form continues to change.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Here's some step-by-step, practical advice about how to keep your toaster oven clean— and advice on how to clean it when all seems lost.—
Matthew Korfhage,
WIRED,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While a regional court in Cologne initially recognized four of Birkenstock’s shoe models as works of applied art and granted the company’s orders in 2017, a higher regional court in the city later overturned the orders on appeal in 2022.—
Karen K. Ho,
ARTnews.com,
21 Feb. 2025
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In 1994, the applied mathematician Peter Shor was inspired by a recent oracle result to develop a fast quantum algorithm for factoring large numbers—a task whose apparent difficulty underlies the cryptographic systems that keep our online data secure.—
Ben Brubaker,
WIRED,
2 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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