as in operating
being in effective operation
looked for a functioning washing machine, but the few that weren't broken were in use
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in acting
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in activity
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of functioning
Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025
The latter has a significant effect on someone’s long-term functioning and is a rare outcome from recreational fear.
—Delaney Rebernik, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Checks are also continuing on the functioning of the alarm systems.
—Jamie Gray, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
It is associated with hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impair daily functioning and can be disabling.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Research has also showed that engaging the brain in new ways builds cognitive reserve, which is how the brain can maintain its functioning in the face of aging, damage or early stages of disease.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
All the groups were given a range of tests to measure their cognitive functioning at the start of the study and in early adolescence.
—NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, majorities said the Republican president has definitely or probably not improved the functioning of government (59%) or bettered the nation’s standing on the world stage (60%).
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
In 2004, a constitutional amendment created the National Council of Justice to manage the judiciary, which has vastly improved the functioning and autonomy of the courts.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
There’s tunnels to crawl through, regular live performances from Quixotic that synchronize with the experience, and a functioning 240-seat theater that plans to host film festivals.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
The fully functioning café will feature artisanal coffee drinks, along with a menu inspired by the series and guided by Colicchio.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Training will not involve live ammunition, live fire or live firearms, though state law does not prohibit non-functioning model weapons.
—Nashville Tennessean, 10 Sep. 2025
An effective and functioning grievance mechanism is a critical tool for businesses, Jeff Vockrodt, president of the Fair Labor Association, said in a webinar last week.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
He’s blessed with a wealth of attacking talent, a multi-functioning midfield and strong, experienced defensive players in centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and goalkeeper Alisson.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Grok will then serve up a fully functioning link to the malicious website, usually containing some form of malware.
—PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
This probably would not have seemed remarkable to the rail summit’s many European attendees, whose countries already have high-functioning train systems.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Security Weaknesses Exposed During testimony on Wednesday, de Cars said all of the alarms and video systems were functioning properly, the BBC reported.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Regular maintenance keeps your range hood functioning efficiently and reduces fire hazards.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
With two functioning lighthouses, hiking trails, a camping park and stunning beach views, Long Beach Peninsula is a true coastal treasure.
—Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Its water and sanitation systems have stopped functioning, and sewage has become backed up into the streets.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Without an open and functioning federal government, homes in flood zones that are required to get a flood insurance policy largely cannot, which can delay or freeze home sales.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
The introduction of a functioning social-care system to relieve pressure on the National Health Service.
—Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear or worry that interferes with daily functioning.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2025
The latter has a significant effect on someone’s long-term functioning and is a rare outcome from recreational fear.
—Delaney Rebernik, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Checks are also continuing on the functioning of the alarm systems.
—Jamie Gray, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
It is associated with hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impair daily functioning and can be disabling.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Research has also showed that engaging the brain in new ways builds cognitive reserve, which is how the brain can maintain its functioning in the face of aging, damage or early stages of disease.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
All the groups were given a range of tests to measure their cognitive functioning at the start of the study and in early adolescence.
—NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, majorities said the Republican president has definitely or probably not improved the functioning of government (59%) or bettered the nation’s standing on the world stage (60%).
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
More than 60% of the capital's health facilities, including Haiti's general hospital, are now shuttered or non-functioning because of the surge in gang violence.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
In 2004, a constitutional amendment created the National Council of Justice to manage the judiciary, which has vastly improved the functioning and autonomy of the courts.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
There’s tunnels to crawl through, regular live performances from Quixotic that synchronize with the experience, and a functioning 240-seat theater that plans to host film festivals.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
The fully functioning café will feature artisanal coffee drinks, along with a menu inspired by the series and guided by Colicchio.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Training will not involve live ammunition, live fire or live firearms, though state law does not prohibit non-functioning model weapons.
—Nashville Tennessean, 10 Sep. 2025
An effective and functioning grievance mechanism is a critical tool for businesses, Jeff Vockrodt, president of the Fair Labor Association, said in a webinar last week.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
He’s blessed with a wealth of attacking talent, a multi-functioning midfield and strong, experienced defensive players in centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and goalkeeper Alisson.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Grok will then serve up a fully functioning link to the malicious website, usually containing some form of malware.
—PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Though a functioning part of the town of Gosnold, the island is privately owned with only certain areas accessible to the public, per The Globe.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
This probably would not have seemed remarkable to the rail summit’s many European attendees, whose countries already have high-functioning train systems.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Security Weaknesses Exposed During testimony on Wednesday, de Cars said all of the alarms and video systems were functioning properly, the BBC reported.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Regular maintenance keeps your range hood functioning efficiently and reduces fire hazards.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
With two functioning lighthouses, hiking trails, a camping park and stunning beach views, Long Beach Peninsula is a true coastal treasure.
—Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Its water and sanitation systems have stopped functioning, and sewage has become backed up into the streets.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Without an open and functioning federal government, homes in flood zones that are required to get a flood insurance policy largely cannot, which can delay or freeze home sales.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
The introduction of a functioning social-care system to relieve pressure on the National Health Service.
—Anand Menon, Time, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioning
Adjective
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Born June 25, 1925 in New York City, Lockhart began acting at age 8 with her stage debut in a 1933 production of Peter Ibbetson at the Metropolitan Opera House.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As part of its tax-exempt status, the foundation is prohibited from endorsing political candidates and, generally, must be nonpartisan in its activities.—
Bill Barrow,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, have been under league investigation since July after an Ohio gaming commission flagged suspicious betting activity on prop bets.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike special economic zone offices elsewhere, RHQs in Riyadh are designed to serve as genuine operational bases—not symbolic branches—managing corporate strategy and human capital across the entire Middle East and Africa.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The gel format also prevents leakage and minimizes thermal expansion, enhancing operational safety.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Action as an Anchor Under the Minnesota Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Green Crew puts teenagers in charge of conservation projects — from planting trees to monitoring water quality — with adults serving in advisory roles.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Two of Africa’s longest-serving leaders secured extensions to their rule, cementing signs of democratic erosion on the continent.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Artists of the art nouveau and German Jugendstil movements channeled Haeckel’s discoveries into their work, as did such leading architects and designers as Antoni Gaudí and Louis Sullivan.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The free-trade agenda sought to deregulate the labor market and prioritize market efficiency, strengthening the hands of employers and severely weakening union and social movements, as anti-free traders had predicted.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Picture every Caribbean cliché and Barbados fits the bill, a Goldilocks island with the just-right combination of easygoing culture, world-class beaches, and co-operative weather.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Always bring a full list of your supplements to your pre-operative visit.—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her mission is to be an example of overcoming adversity, reminding the world that true success comes from working with love, respect, and shining without dimming the light of others.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Perri, 37, was used to working with athletes.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share