as in served
to have a certain purpose
the heart functions as a pump for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 functioned
Spurs stay small but survive Luke Kornet functioned well as Wembanyama’s fill-in, producing 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes.
—
Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Apr. 2026
For decades now, China has functioned on the premise that wealth and social stability emerge only from a market economy in which big, unseen forces—not to be questioned or defied by individuals—control everything important.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Fry remarked that the plant has functioned as a component of the state’s nuclear energy infrastructure for over 50 years.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
In both cases, an ever broadening category of deaths functioned as inexhaustible proof of an expansive government cover-up.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 22 Apr. 2026
Saddam’s Iraq also functioned as one of the main checks on Iranian power in the Persian Gulf.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
For more than a hundred years, the place has functioned as a crucial cultural bastion, hosting speakers like James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Allen Ginsberg.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
The allegations emerged well before the June 2 primary, providing California voters with sufficient advance information to make informed decisions at the ballot box, suggesting the primary process ultimately functioned effectively in delivering critical information to the electorate.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Spencer Jones functioned as a quasi-backup center.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Apr. 2026
For decades now, China has functioned on the premise that wealth and social stability emerge only from a market economy in which big, unseen forces—not to be questioned or defied by individuals—control everything important.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
Fry remarked that the plant has functioned as a component of the state’s nuclear energy infrastructure for over 50 years.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
In both cases, an ever broadening category of deaths functioned as inexhaustible proof of an expansive government cover-up.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 22 Apr. 2026
Saddam’s Iraq also functioned as one of the main checks on Iranian power in the Persian Gulf.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
For more than a hundred years, the place has functioned as a crucial cultural bastion, hosting speakers like James Baldwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Allen Ginsberg.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
The allegations emerged well before the June 2 primary, providing California voters with sufficient advance information to make informed decisions at the ballot box, suggesting the primary process ultimately functioned effectively in delivering critical information to the electorate.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Spencer Jones functioned as a quasi-backup center.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioned
Verb
-
His grandfather, Chris Heidenreich, was a naval officer, and his uncle, Chip Heidenreich, served as a corpsman with the Marines.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
According to his sister La Toya Jackson in her 2011 book Starting Over, the ranch served to recapture the typical childhood that the singer never got to live out.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The federal judge in that case ruled that a jury could find that State Farm had acted in bad faith if the plaintiffs' lawyers demonstrated that the company ignored certain kinds of hail damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The April 22 incident took place during dismissal in the Hancock County School District, which said students acted quickly to safely stop the bus, contact emergency services and remain calm until help arrived.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In conclusion, the owner had only care and compassion for everyone who worked for him, and the baristas would be willing to testify to this.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Scott Dochterman Dane Brugler’s analysis A four-year starter, Zuhn worked primarily at left tackle in former offensive coordinator Collin Klein’s balanced scheme.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioned. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
