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 resulting forms—organic and often functional—depart from the modernist language associated with Brazil.
—
Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2025
There are also a range of niceties, including room to sleep four people, a bed that retracts to reveal a workspace, and a functional kitchen.
—New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025
From aesthetic accuracy to functional integrity, the team at Clone must constantly balance artistic vision with engineering precision.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
You're left with an exfoliating soap that leaves the user with a functional loofah sponge after the soap is gone.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for functional 
Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2025
There are also a range of niceties, including room to sleep four people, a bed that retracts to reveal a workspace, and a functional kitchen.
—New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025
From aesthetic accuracy to functional integrity, the team at Clone must constantly balance artistic vision with engineering precision.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
You're left with an exfoliating soap that leaves the user with a functional loofah sponge after the soap is gone.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
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That could, analysts said, start a price war for AI services, potentially pressuring tech companies such as OpenAI that are already losing billions of dollars each year due to the high operational costs of running services such as ChatGPT.—
Aditya Soni and Zaheer Kachwala,
USA TODAY,
30 Jan. 2025
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The base, which occupies 45 square miles, serves as an operational and logistical hub in the region, supporting a variety of missions including maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and joint operations.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, Short expanded her wildfire archive to include more information useful to investigators, such as weather, elevation, population density, and a fire’s timing.—
Sachi Mulkey,
WIRED,
25 Jan. 2025
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The day-by-day guide to his concerts and recording sessions is extremely useful.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Transport is not widely available, so about a third of the people were making their way back on foot, according to OCHA.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
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Then, in January 2024, the sandwich chain made the footlong cookie available nationwide.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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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Player is restricted Key free-agency dates WNBA franchises had from Jan. 11 to Jan. 20 to extend qualifying offers to make applicable players restricted or reserved free agents.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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Giveaway Entities reserve the right to change, alter, or amend these Official Rules as necessary, in its sole determination, to ensure the fair administration of the Giveaway or to comply with applicable law.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The action-comedy from director Seth Gordon features the formidable Close as Ginny, an MI6 operative vet and the estranged mother of Cameron Diaz’s character, Emily.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
18 Jan. 2025
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Political subdivisions may, in place of such standards, enact municipal health and safety standards to be operative during the housing emergency consistent with ensuring minimal public health and safety.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, practical tips for building trust while also maintaining open communication.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
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Expert instructors will teach you how to get started, practical uses, tips for effective prompt-writing, and mistakes to avoid.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In September 2023, Danaher spun off its environmental and applied solutions segment into a water and packaging quality company named Veralto .—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2025
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According to Matt Kessler, an applied linguist at the University of South Florida who has researched Duolingo’s efficacy, the app is giving you a beginner’s guide, and not much more.—
Imogen West-Knights,
The Dial,
21 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near functional
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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