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function

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verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word function distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of function are duty, office, and province. While all these words mean "the acts or operations expected of a person or thing," function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work.

the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley

In what contexts can duty take the place of function?

Although the words duty and function have much in common, duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling.

it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney

When is office a more appropriate choice than function?

While in some cases nearly identical to function, office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others.

they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone

When would province be a good substitute for function?

The words province and function can be used in similar contexts, but province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one.

I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë

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 function
Noun
The system doesn't currently capture carbon emissions out of the stack, but the company is conducting trials to perform that function as well. Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025 Magnesium is a mineral that is crucial for many of our bodily functions, and many women are deficient, so inflammation and conditions resulting from chronic inflammation as well as a risk of osteoporosis is higher. Megan McIntyre, Allure, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
And some commuters on Wednesday still struggled to navigate city streets without functioning traffic lights. Nayara Batschke and Matias Basualdo The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Feb. 2025 Although RVs can function without hookups, having electrical and sewer connections enhances convenience. Joan Pabón, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for function
Recent Examples of Synonyms for function
Noun
  • The Commission’s recent Enforcement Advisory to the radio industry as a whole stated that manipulating airplay based on artist participation in station events without proper disclosure violates federal laws.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Most events—about six out of every 10—had at least some seats selling below face value, with a third of tickets sold within a month of the game going for below the original price.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Royals would like him to get on base more often in order to have runners in scoring position for the top of the order.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2025
  • But still the firm offered him the position — handling small tasks like making copies.
    Laura Kwerel, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Liang’s vast, all-consuming solitude pierces through each of these phases, as does his unfulfilled yen for presence and purpose: Though this particular island time slips and stretches and swerves back and forth, no clear future ever materializes for him.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Social recognition is written by employees who are eager to shout to the rooftops about their colleagues – with the express purpose of sharing it.
    Eric Mosley, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But unlike oil or even cabbage, crypto does not serve the core functioning of society.
    Ben Walsh, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Masataka Yoshida has been serving as DH in spring games but is still working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery and has not started throwing.
    Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Disney+ has also joined the factual drama party with Jeff Pope’s upcoming Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Post Malone, country music’s latest groundbreaker, has announced Travelin’ Tailgate, a 10-date parking lot party that will take place on select dates of his North American Tour.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Since the start of the Depression, in late 1929, one out of three American workers had lost his job.
    David Remnick, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Linking the robots was a job of magnets that could rotate to maintain adhesion regardless of their orientation.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • She's got a handful of credits to her name, including a role in Sister Act 2, which also starred Goldberg.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Late Friday night, the Trump administration, as part of its push to modernize the government with software, laid off roughly 90 people from the General Services Administration—all federal technologists whose role was to modernize the government with software.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • How that plays out depends on a number of factors, such as where the conflict starts and what the impetus is, which would shape the way all major actors and allies respond to whatever acts as the spark.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The filings containing the employee statements were made in the case started by a CFPB union, which led to a judge suspending acting Director Russell Vought’s moves to shutter the bureau.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Function.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/function. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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