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
The star’s casual looks always find the right balance between stylish and functional.
—
Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2025
The toilet — a fully functional satirical art piece — was believed to have been carved up and sold in pieces.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Pilates exercises are compatible with functional movement.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Additionally, functional imaging studies have explored people’s responses to food images and found that people with ADHD or binge eating disorder have stronger responses than those without either disorder.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2025
The toilet — a fully functional satirical art piece — was believed to have been carved up and sold in pieces.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Pilates exercises are compatible with functional movement.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Additionally, functional imaging studies have explored people’s responses to food images and found that people with ADHD or binge eating disorder have stronger responses than those without either disorder.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
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This new list will recognize the leading venture capital firms headquartered in the U.S., based on their performance across key financial and operational metrics.—
TIME Staff,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
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Keeping classes affordable while covering rent, instructors and operational costs?—
Deepali Jamwal,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But wolves can be useful on the land, killing deer and elk that have contracted chronic wasting disease (CWD).—
Ted Williams,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Ndiaye likes coming inside on his stronger right foot, while McNeil is more useful going on the outside and using his left.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Other countries showing the film include Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the U.S. General tickets will be available on March 27.—
Kalia Richardson,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2025
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If all of this seems overwhelming, remember that help is available.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
20 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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Vessels will have to submit a technology screening report that evaluates energy efficiency technologies applicable to the ship.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Mar. 2025
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This is not applicable on outlet and sale products, as an FYI.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
-
This April, the discount grocery chain is stocking its shelves with adorable decor, practical porch and patio furniture, and charming Easter tableware—plus snacks, appetizers, mains, and desserts with seasonal flair.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
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In addition to the technological advances required to put a human on Mars, however, is the very practical necessity of developing sustainable food sources in space.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 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 31 Mar. 2025.
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