1
as in official
a person who holds a public office
spoke to high-ranking functionaries at the embassy in the hopes that they could help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in bureaucrat
a worker in a government agency
the faceless functionaries at the Internal Revenue Service
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 functionary
But as the courts whittle away at the power of government functionaries to interpret vague congressional statutes, at least one federal agency has apparently chosen lawless rebellion.
—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Bigelow’s sympathetic eye for her functionaries risks the film being misread as an argument for more robust military funding.
—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Evil is aided and abetted by the banality of institutions and their functionaries.
—
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Since then, there have been many more arrests—especially of regional functionaries at various levels.
—
Andrei Kolesnikov,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Bigelow’s sympathetic eye for her functionaries risks the film being misread as an argument for more robust military funding.
—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Evil is aided and abetted by the banality of institutions and their functionaries.
—
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Since then, there have been many more arrests—especially of regional functionaries at various levels.
—
Andrei Kolesnikov,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for functionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functionary
Noun
-
The agreement also didn't lead to market opportunities for the United States in Canada and Mexico in dairy and other sectors as was expected, officials said.
-
The city said replacement parts have been ordered and officials hope to reopen the pool before the end of July.
Noun
-
Giving the president more direct control over who serves on those bodies has long been a goal of conservatives, who have objected to unelected bureaucrats wielding too much power with little accountability.
-
The Bay Area was handed, unquestionably, the worst slate of group-stage games FIFA’s bureaucrats could manifest — five equivalents of a Tuesday night MACtion football game in a November blizzard.
Noun
-
His behavior under stress is dangerous to his officers and crew, and his authority is questioned.
-
Some relief workers are using donkeys and bulldozers to remove solid waste, according to Louise Wateridge, a communications officer for the UN’s children’s agency in the Middle East and North Africa.
Noun
-
The city clerk is responsible for maintaining government records while assisting the mayor and City Council with administrative duties inside and outside council meetings.
-
The state this year abolished the job of the New Orleans criminal court clerk — merging it with another court clerk position.
Noun
-
And as many companies continue to prioritize in-person workers for promotions, this gap will likely widen even further over time.
-
But this year, the union, which covers nine bargaining units and represents nearly 100,000 state workers, is not currently scheduled to receive a raise this summer.
Noun
-
In May, the EEOC filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times alleging discrimination against a white male employee, which the Times has rejected as politically motivated.
-
Others said employees should come into the office and experience what could be one of Atlanta’s most significant moments on the global stage.
Cite this Entry
“Functionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functionary. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
