1
as in official
a person who holds a public office
spoke to high-ranking functionaries at the embassy in the hopes that they could help
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2
as in bureaucrat
a worker in a government agency
the faceless functionaries at the Internal Revenue Service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of functionary
These latest comments came from party functionaries rather than civilians, and as such have made Modi and the BJP directly accountable for the noticeable rise in Islamophobia in India.
—
Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2022
Competent functionaries mostly belonged to other political camps.
—Kaya Genc, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
The group’s materiel and manpower have been distributed across various security agencies, where they are managed by functionaries who are more loyal and less ambitious.
—Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2024
Everyone else, from cabinet members to party functionaries, is kept on a long leash.
—Constanze Stelzenmüller, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2022
Competent functionaries mostly belonged to other political camps.
—Kaya Genc, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
The group’s materiel and manpower have been distributed across various security agencies, where they are managed by functionaries who are more loyal and less ambitious.
—Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2024
Everyone else, from cabinet members to party functionaries, is kept on a long leash.
—Constanze Stelzenmüller, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
Noun
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Dwight Howard, the best player on the franchise’s 2008-09 Eastern Conference championship team and Orlando’s career leader in total points, rebounds and blocks, will be inducted into the Magic’s Hall of Fame later this month, team officials announced Thursday night.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
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Three fatalities were reported in Mississippi, according to state officials.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Conservative legal advocates argue that Humphrey’s Executor has allowed unelected bureaucrats to wield executive power without accountability, undermining Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive authority in the president.—
Kaelan Deese,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Mar. 2025
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Eventually, some brilliant bureaucrats realized that humans are motivated by competition, and the Florida Python Challenge was born.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In a clip shared to social media, at least five officers appear to attempt to restrain Seirafe-Novaes.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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The car was still running when officers arrived, according to court documents.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The deed to your property can be retrieved from your respective county clerk’s office.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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She was released from custody on $300,000 bond, according to the Waterbury Judicial District clerk’s office, and is next due in court on March 26.—
Michelle Krupa,
CNN,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But the hiring rate is pretty soft and finding a job is harder — especially for knowledge workers.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
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Individual offices have already paused some operations because of a lack of workers.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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When colleges join hands through the NCAA to set eligibility rules to play sports, those colleges are excluding students, rather than employees or prospective employees, from eligibility.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Mar. 2025
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Encourage employees to highlight risks, potential failures or unpopular opinions. 8.—
Antonio Garrido,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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