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

Western Pacific’s program addresses all aspects of recovery, reducing drug use, improving social functioning and shrinking the risk of overdose and other negative health outcomes. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026 Hospital was vital site for journalists News agencies like Reuters and AP supplied live video footage to newsrooms around the world from the hospital, one of the few functioning in Gaza at the time. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 This could be a consequence of a breakdown in the functioning of the nerves themselves, hormonal dysregulation, changes in our gut’s microbes, or a combination of factors. — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026 At each developmental stage, Montessori teachers work to develop children’s decision-making skills, which are part of a larger focus on executive functioning. — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Protein is also important for the functioning of your nervous system, immune system, skin, hormones and other essential components. — Linda M. Boland, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 Their purpose is not to flatten emotion or eliminate individuality, but to reduce symptoms that interfere with functioning and quality of life. — Rachel Docekal, STAT, 21 Aug. 2026 On the other hand, sitting at work was linked to healthier functioning. — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in every cell of your body, is vital to its functioning, helping build cells and key hormones. — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

Many types are packed with nutrients that help keep your brain functioning at its best. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026 Damascus’s challenge is to use the dividends from its newfound importance in regional trade to build functioning institutions, distribute resources for recovery, and overcome historical animosities. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Americans give billions a year to remittance companies for transfers that a functioning system would price near zero. — Michael Faulkender, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 Rather than functioning as a general-purpose chatbot, OpenEvidence is intended to help medical professionals locate and examine information from clinical research. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Donica describes it as the first comprehensive longevity program built specifically around brain aging in healthy, high-functioning people, positioned as prevention rather than treatment. — Eman Bare, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Screen Futures links the projects to sales agents, distributors and other prospective partners rather than functioning as a lab or mentorship program. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Frontier must now turn pilot-scale results into a functioning industrial facility. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 Like most things around your home, refrigerator coils are prone to building up dust, dirt, pet hair, and other contaminants over time that then hinder the coils from functioning properly. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioning

Adjective

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
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Definition of operating

Noun

The crude market remains dominated by state producers, major energy companies, commodity merchants and large industrial consumers whose activity dwarfs that of individual traders.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
On the same morning, a short drive away, a therapist who asked to be identified as Bre was also patrolling, having woken up to an alert on her phone about ICE activity at her daughter’s former elementary school.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of activity

Verb

There are no Cubs players involved in the TikTok series, the Cubs told me, which is unfortunate since Crow-Armstrong has acting in his DNA — his mother and father are both actors — and probably would be at least as good as Damon.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Along with the move back to Britain, Meghan’s acting return was a subject the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had reportedly been discussing for some time, according to People.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of acting

Adjective

Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Some industry experts have warned that the SPR will soon reach operational minimums soon, wiping out any further cushion to offset the oil deficit from the Middle East.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of operational

Noun

For Katwala, the most impressive elements from the Games were the robots playing tennis, seeming to react to the movement of the ball and, in a match featuring robots playing alongside humans in doubles, of their partner, too.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Precision control for launchers Curtiss-Wright’s electromechanical actuators will provide precise movement and positioning for the system.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of movement

Verb

Jesperson, who is currently serving multiple life sentences in Oregon, has confessed to killing eight women between 1990 and 1995.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Harley spent a year as Florida International’s linebackers coach before serving six seasons at Pitt under Narduzzi.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of serving

Adjective

Also, at least one Dolls doctor, the administrative complaint said, skipped steps in pre-operative risk evaluation of anesthesia and the surgery to be performed or at least failed to document taking each of those steps.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Kiara suddenly has the ability to jump out of cable cars and scale buildings with a CIA-operative level of precision.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of operative

Noun

Samsung is expected to release its full earnings report around the end of this month, detailing net profit and performance across individual business divisions.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The equipment in the classroom is also outdated and no longer reaches performance capabilities necessary for modern digital art, web design and 2D and 3D imaging, officials said.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of performance

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“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of functioning

adjective

noun

verb

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