as in operating
being in effective operation
looked for a functioning washing machine, but the few that weren't broken were in use
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in activity
Related Words
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
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Recent Examples of functioning
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
New Yorkers deserve and require a fully functioning and cohesive government.
—Kirsten John Foy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Police say the driver stopped at the non-functioning signal but did not see the teen in the crosswalk before proceeding.
—Tori Mason, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The winning team later enjoyed a luxury yacht complete with a private chef, while the losing team slept on the smallest vessel—without a functioning toilet.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The cozy accommodations are stocked with a selection of Southern books and some retain original features like non-functioning fireplaces.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Because even if the strait were to open today, getting supplies to where they're needed and resuming the normal functioning of the system is going to take some time.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.
—Doug Brugge, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026
Red blood cells carry oxygen to our tissues, which is critical for proper functioning.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026
The ability to defend against such cyberattacks is integral to the basic functioning of society.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
While Europe is less directly dependent on Hormuz, its economy relies on the smooth functioning of global shipping routes.
—Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Early findings show that teens who use more social media display different patterns in executive functioning—skills like paying attention, controlling impulses, and staying organized.
—Crista Marchesseault, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Apple's System Status webpage did not acknowledge issues with its Weather app on Tuesday morning, marking it as functioning normally.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Instead of functioning as standalone tools, robots become part of a coordinated security network.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
With the announcement of Mythos, Anthropic has been effectively functioning as a geopolitical actor, briefing ally governments on the model’s capabilities.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Sudan’s army has since retaken the capital, and Al Nao remains one of the area's only functioning health centers.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza are degraded but functioning, with Israel still regularly launching strikes at both.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
In my experience, if there are no vacuum leaks and the idle speed control motor is functioning properly, many drivability issues on these cars come down to poor electrical grounds.
—Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Anyone with 25% of their brain functioning could see this was police brutality and these thugs are a menace perpetrated on society.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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
New Yorkers deserve and require a fully functioning and cohesive government.
—Kirsten John Foy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Police say the driver stopped at the non-functioning signal but did not see the teen in the crosswalk before proceeding.
—Tori Mason, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The winning team later enjoyed a luxury yacht complete with a private chef, while the losing team slept on the smallest vessel—without a functioning toilet.
—Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The cozy accommodations are stocked with a selection of Southern books and some retain original features like non-functioning fireplaces.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Together, broadcasting and telecommunications account for more than $60 billion in the Canadian economy and provide essential infrastructure for the exchange of cultural and informational resources necessary for the functioning of a Canadian democratic society.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Because even if the strait were to open today, getting supplies to where they're needed and resuming the normal functioning of the system is going to take some time.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.
—Doug Brugge, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026
Red blood cells carry oxygen to our tissues, which is critical for proper functioning.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026
The ability to defend against such cyberattacks is integral to the basic functioning of society.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
While Europe is less directly dependent on Hormuz, its economy relies on the smooth functioning of global shipping routes.
—Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Early findings show that teens who use more social media display different patterns in executive functioning—skills like paying attention, controlling impulses, and staying organized.
—Crista Marchesseault, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
That policy divergence has intensified scrutiny over whether Charles’ visit is now functioning as a diplomatic pressure valve.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Apple's System Status webpage did not acknowledge issues with its Weather app on Tuesday morning, marking it as functioning normally.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Instead of functioning as standalone tools, robots become part of a coordinated security network.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
With the announcement of Mythos, Anthropic has been effectively functioning as a geopolitical actor, briefing ally governments on the model’s capabilities.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Sudan’s army has since retaken the capital, and Al Nao remains one of the area's only functioning health centers.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza are degraded but functioning, with Israel still regularly launching strikes at both.
—Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
In my experience, if there are no vacuum leaks and the idle speed control motor is functioning properly, many drivability issues on these cars come down to poor electrical grounds.
—Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Anyone with 25% of their brain functioning could see this was police brutality and these thugs are a menace perpetrated on society.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functioning
Adjective
-
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.—
Rachel Nostrant,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Recreational activities have changed, but the spiral from contender to cellar remains unchecked.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If suspicious activity is detected, users receive support from fraud resolution specialists who help contact agencies, prepare documentation, and dispute unauthorized accounts.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With Sturm acting as the third forward high on the shift and Quinn Hughes busy breaking ankles all over the zone and reading perfectly off Brock Faber, McCarron won a puck battle with Heiskanen after Jake Oettinger couldn’t swallow a Faber shot 13 seconds before Foligno’s eventual goal.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Between Dua’s world tour and Callum’s acting gigs, the pair managed to squeeze in a sunny escape to the gorgeous Italian island last summer, with their adventures across the island going viral within minutes of them leaving each spot.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Valerii’s first task each evening was to read the operational log.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The building was closed in the immediate aftermath, but the rest of the plant remained operational, and the tornado did not derail the production launch, the company said.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The movement from Odegaard and Zubimendi towards the ball occupies Willock and Guimaraes, while White attacks the space vacated by the Newcastle captain and Havertz drops to provide a passing option.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Contained within all these fiascoes is a subtly different conservative movement.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to Caltrans, 19th Avenue is one of the busiest streets in San Francisco, carrying roughly 40,000 vehicles each day and serving as a major route to destinations such as San Francisco State University, Golden Gate Park, Lake Merced and Stonestown Shopping Center.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the $4 million public space investment, Legacy Foundation will add $1 million to expand Transform Lake County and Resilience grantmaking through 2027 to support the growth and stability of nonprofit organizations serving Lake County.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
From 2021 to 2023, about two-thirds of adults over 65 had hypertension, according to the operative definition at the time.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Endless is the operative word at Lavo Italian Restaurant’s weekend brunch, where the traditional sit-down meal gives way to a high‑energy, indulgent experience that feels unmistakably Vegas.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That includes a nine-RBI performance for the Triton recruit in 16-14 win over Brother Rice.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Their in-game performance needs to be better.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Functioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functioning. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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