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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Listen to this article A Leesburg couple was sentenced to about 13 years in prison Monday after both parents were convicted in what officials ruled was the starvation death of their baby daughter.—
Silas Morgan,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
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North Carolina lottery officials had hoped someone in the state would win the top prize.—
Simone Jasper,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Logansport Police officer Cody Scott and his wife, Kylie Scott, were both charged with two counts of felony child neglect.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
16 Mar. 2025
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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
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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The only recommendation that CDC makes is people who are taking care of those with measles, perhaps health care workers, might consider an additional booster later in life.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2025
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Among workers who have requested raises, over half (57%) only ask for a raise during performance reviews or once per year.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Federal judges have also ruled that the administration’s firing of probationary employees did not follow the appropriate procedures for layoffs and that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management lacked the authority to order the firings.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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Earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged to use lie detector tests on employees to identify those who may be leaking information about operations to the media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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