functional

adjective

ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl How to pronounce functional (audio)
Definition of functionalnext
1
as in operational
being in effective operation I don't think that vending machine is functional, so don't put money into it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in useful
capable of being put to use or account a functional knowledge of auto mechanics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose a very functional kitchen utensil for peeling potatoes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 functional The questions used in the survey primarily capture functional disabilities, such as how well a person sees, hears, or walks. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026 Apple products have always been designed with an eye toward aesthetics, as well as functional engineering. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026 ProteinMPNN then determines whether the amino acid suggested by SynthID works from the perspective of forming a functional protein. — ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 Key Takeaways Kettlebells are versatile tools that can improve lower-body strength, balance, core stability, and functional movement. — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for functional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for functional
  1. operational
  2. useful
  3. available
  4. operating
  5. applicable
  6. operative
  7. practical
  8. functioning
Adjective
  • The United States is now demonstrating the technology in operational environments, while simultaneously placing substantial contracts for production systems.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Eastern Caribbean’s DCash pilot was suspended in 2024, and Nigeria’s eNaira, launched in 2021, remains operational but has seen limited adoption.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of operational
Adjective
  • Her special talent was to make historic gardening techniques and designs accessible for the average gardener, championing the potager—which combines flowers with useful, edible plants—and creating gardens for Elton John and the then Prince of Wales.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Broad-spectrum antiseptic rinses do not distinguish between the useful bacteria and the problematic ones.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of useful
Adjective
  • The Me+Em x The Booker Prizes reading lists will be available to buy from BookKind, an online bookshop that donates 10 percent of every order value to its charity partners, which include the Booker Prize Foundation.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Dining in the lounge is available all day to cater to international hunger pangs that don’t follow the same schedule as those of Spaniards.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of available
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
Adjective
  • The court's conservative majority has, in multiple cases, ruled in favor of religious exemptions from generally applicable laws.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The taxation of payments depends on the trust’s income and the applicable ordering rules, so the payments should not automatically be considered tax-free.
    — D. Scott Kenik, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of applicable
Adjective
  • Indeed, with this work the term shift is operative in every way, framing its status as an artwork both transformational and transformed.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • West had coronary artery disease and died due to a combination of the pre-existing illness and post-operative complications a day after having cosmetic surgery.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of operative
Adjective
  • One practical investment of time, money, or effort can give a larger idea somewhere real to begin.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Advances in electrical power systems, tracking technology, beam control and compact high-energy lasers are making the concept increasingly practical.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of practical
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
Definition of functioning

Browse Nearby Words

function
functional
functional illiteracy
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Cite this Entry

“Functional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/functional. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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