FUNCTIONING Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

functioning 1 of 3

adjective

as in operating

being in effective operation looked for a functioning washing machine, but the few that weren't broken were in use

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

functioning

2 of 3

noun

as in activity

Related Words

functioning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of function

as in acting

to have a certain purpose the heart functions as a pump for the blood

Synonyms & Similar 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

Adjective

Parenting a child comes with unique stressors, from small daily hassles like getting kids out the door on time for school to the bigger assignment of raising a functioning, happy and healthy human. — Daniel M. Bagner, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 Two years later, that land was a functioning commercial development with healthcare services, co-working space, community banking and retail tenants serving a neighborhood that had none of those things before. — Srinivasulu Mupparaju, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 And the park once held a record for the country’s smallest functioning post office, a groovy dome hiding a real postal employee. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 The location had critical issues with non-functioning refrigeration units, which led to food being stored at unsafe temperatures, city officials said. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026 Collins says cleaning a functioning or newer dryer once every two years is sufficient to clear our major blocks and prevent more serious complications, such as clogs that can lead to fires. — Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2026 Investigators say the error was compounded by non-functioning signal systems along with failures in staffing, oversight and maintenance during years of delays in safety upgrades. — ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 Velasquez said Chait placed a strong emphasis on communication, recalling that district leaders recently sent administrators guidance on reassuring families that schools would remain safe and functioning. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026 At the same time, Maguire ventured into opposition territory to serve as an emergency centre-forward — rarely a sign of a functioning game plan. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Noun

After, networks that process emotions and internal states were activated longer, and a network that supports executive functioning was activated for less time. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Creatine helps the recharge that takes place in the brain to support your functioning. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The earlier one watches people labor to keep a difficult tie functioning. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 Doing more than one thing at once, especially on screens, can become addictive, which harms the functioning of our brain and nervous system. — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026 What’s more concerning is a persistent decline that interferes with everyday functioning. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026 Now, if data collection is important for the product’s functioning, and thus the business model, the proxy infrastructure placement might need reevaluation. — Mindaugas Čaplinskas, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Men deserve care that looks past a single number and considers diagnosis, ongoing monitoring, and daily functioning. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 In this case, the framework is based on physical features that are essential for cellular functioning. — Mike McRae 04, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

That figure includes functioning satellites, inactive spacecraft, rocket bodies and debris. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 So, after years of functioning as a duo, Beatrice and Eugenie are trying to establish their own identities. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026 Its mandate also changed to include monitoring the ceasefire and documenting its violations, coordinating with Lebanon’s military and functioning as the only direct communication channel between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries. — Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 That gives AngelAi a direct connection to a functioning financial institution and a live environment for applying its technology. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Many government sites appeared to be functioning normally Thursday, but outages or limited service continued while security work was under way. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Rows of look-alike chorines would position their limbs in formation to create enormous kaleidoscopic designs, functioning in precision like an all-blonde, semi-nude, female Marine troop. — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 As a result of their profitability analysis, Gartner predicted last week that 80% of neoclouds, which are AI-dedicated computing power providers, could cease functioning as independent companies. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioning

Adjective

The Georgia park was closed on Tuesday for a pre-scheduled non-operating day, officials said.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of operating

Noun

The deal, which includes spare parts and international orders, is subject to congressional approval and could generate $79 billion in economic activity, with Lockheed Martin self-funding at least $7 billion in program initiatives.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments discuss various aspects of maintaining health and well-being as one ages, emphasizing the importance of exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and mental activity.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of activity

Verb

After Maduro was deposed, Venezuela's highest court said Rodríguez could serve as acting president for up to 90 days -- an interim appointment that could be extended by the National Assembly for an additional 90 days.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
And when Dad got to the University of Southern California and briefly tried his hand at acting in the 1930s, casting directors rechristened him Lee Byron.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of acting

Adjective

In a June 2026 paper titled When AI Builds Itself, Anthropic warned that the recursive loop has moved from science fiction to operational reality faster than the company itself expected.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Commercial operations will begin once STUK completes its pending pre-operational inspection on a date yet to be determined.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of operational

Noun

Elsewhere, long-running demonstrations in Albania and Serbia have focused more on anti-corruption, spiraling into movements seeking to topple each country’s government.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Young protestors answered with an insurrectionary energy in the summer and soon found support from a broader coalition comprised of opposition parties, social movements and other pillars of Indian civil society.

— Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of movement

Verb

Even Blair herself has been rejected by a bank for serving as OnlyFans’ CEO.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Imprisoned since 2004 and serving a life sentence, Buchanan was accused of directing drug sales, extortion, gambling and violence across San Diego County and beyond.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of serving

Adjective

Post-operative test results to confirm whether the pope is completely cancer-free and what, if any, treatment is needed have not been released yet.

— Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
The Vatican says post-operative blood tests and a chest X-ray show no immediate complications.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of operative

Noun

This year, the multiplatinum band celebrates its 50th anniversary and has scheduled performances throughout California for the remainder of the year.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
SpaceX shares jumped nearly 8% on Wednesday, their best single-session performance since August.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of performance

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functioning

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“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of functioning

adjective

noun

verb

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