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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Privately, one Russian official told me the US-Russian economic cooperation deals being discussed behind closed doors may have appealed.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN,
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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According to a news release, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was notified Thursday after correctional officers discovered 21-year-old Lawrence Antonio Borom lying on the floor with apparent head injuries.—
Matt Hubbard,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Mar. 2025
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Kansas City Police Department officers and other law enforcement personnel will be placed at various points along the parade route, said Capt. Jacob Becchina, a police spokesman.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Labor costs fluctuate based on accessibility and demand for skilled workers.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2025
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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
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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Musk is the multibillionaire tech executive who has become a close ally of President Donald Trump, heading up the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has laid off thousands of U.S. government employees and shut down federal programs in a matter of weeks.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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