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Definitions

functionary

[fuhngk-shuh-ner-ee] / ˈfʌŋk ʃəˌnɛr i /
NOUN
agent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assistant broker commissioner deputy handler lawyer minister officer operative operator promoter representative worker
STRONG
abettor actor advocate ambassador assignee attorney delegate doer emissary envoy executor factor factotum go-between intermediary mover negotiator principal proctor proxy salesperson servant steward substitute surrogate
WEAK
mediary middleperson ten percenter
NOUN
bureaucrat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administrator civil servant politician public servant
WEAK
desk-jockey officeholder pencil-pusher
NOUN
officer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agent chief civil servant deputy director executive leader manager official representative
STRONG
President appointee bureaucrat dignitary head magistrate officeholder
WEAK
organization administrator public servant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employee
NOUN
official
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administrator agent bureaucrat civil servant commissioner director executive leader manager minister officer representative secretary
STRONG
CEO President boss brains brass chancellor comptroller dignitary exec governor higher-up incumbent magistrate marshal mayor officeholder panjandrum premier top treasurer
WEAK
big shot front office head person top brass top dog
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employee

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Because he was an obscure functionary, the lawmaker assumed that he would be an Aaron, Moses’ brother and supporter.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

One of my professors, Harry Wexler, had been a young functionary under the midcentury mayor-for-life Dick Lee.

From Slate • Sep. 21, 2025

Traditionally, the state superintendent has acted as more of a functionary, allocating funding and serving as a repository for student data.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

A high-ranking party functionary and state media columnist, some credit her with boosting her brother’s public image by linking it more closely to that of his esteemed grandfather.

From Washington Times • Dec. 10, 2023

Immediately above it, hidden from visitors’ eyes, sat a priestly functionary, who provided the god’s voice.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.