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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of functional
Driving the news: Thousands of people arrived Wednesday morning at Civic Center Plaza to attend the inauguration, where Lurie delivered a speech that emphasized the importance of restoring San Francisco's image as a business hub, functional city and go-to tourist destination on the West Coast.
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Nadia Lopez, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
In an age of high political polarization and dysfunction, a diverse group of citizens calmly studying and discussing a nuanced issue presents a surprisingly functional image of politics.
—Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
What exactly caused the functional and locational shift of motor neurons that give the frogfish’s illicium its function is still a mystery.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Seasonal decluttering keeps your home functional and tidy.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for functional 
Nadia Lopez, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
In an age of high political polarization and dysfunction, a diverse group of citizens calmly studying and discussing a nuanced issue presents a surprisingly functional image of politics.
—Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
What exactly caused the functional and locational shift of motor neurons that give the frogfish’s illicium its function is still a mystery.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Seasonal decluttering keeps your home functional and tidy.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
Adjective
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Advertisement Despite the harrowing circumstances, employees kept the 88-year-old institution operational throughout the disaster, in some cases putting decades worth of worst-case emergency training to use for the first time.Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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Direct File operational costs were an extra $2.4 million, according to the agency.Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The sector sold off last week after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang suggested that useful quantum computers are decades away.Samantha Subin, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
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There is some variation in the mix — Origins allows troops to perform certain tasks like opening locked doors or destroying watchtowers, as well as special squad attacks like arrow sieges and rally cries that can be useful in the midst of the action.Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Here are a few programs that will remain available for borrowers seeking student loan forgiveness.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Across the 10-episode first season — all of which were available for review — the series also offers insights into the personal lives of nearly all Westside’s healthcare providers.Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 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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Sponsor reserves the right to change, alter, or amend these Official Rules as necessary, in its sole determination, to ensure the fair administration of the Contest or to comply with applicable law.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
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There’s knowledge from that experience and insight gained through Reid that would be valuable and applicable to the Bears’ efforts to develop Williams.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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State law — rising from a 2018 ballot measure — sets the effective date of ballot measures at five days after the secretary of state certifies the election result (although some measures may lay out later dates to become operative, often the first of the year).Teri Figueroa, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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While a necessary starting point, working with dogs wasn’t a great long-term solution due to practical and moral concerns.Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 15 Jan. 2025
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Beyond the legal obligations, the closure of College Walk has practical consequences that cannot be ignored.Victor Edwards, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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An applied micro-economist, Bertrand conducts research in the fields of labor economics, corporate finance, political economy and development economics.Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near functional
Cite this Entry
“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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