Functionary
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈfʌŋ(k).ʃn̩.(ə)ri/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Functionary is a noun meaning A person employed as an official in a bureaucracy (usually corporate or governmental) who holds limited authority and primarily serves to carry out a simple function for which discretion is minimal or not required.
Meaning
A person employed as an official in a bureaucracy (usually corporate or governmental) who holds limited authority and primarily serves to carry out a simple function for which discretion is minimal or not required.
More Meanings
- Such a person who is petty, pedantic, short-sighted, uncaring, or counterproductive; sometimes also with implication of being amoral or corrupt.
Example Sentences
Near-synonyms: bureaucrat, apparatchik; paper-pusher; bean counter
Near-synonyms: bureaucrat; official; officer; administrator; apparatchik
Consciences are for politicians, Bernard! We are humble functionaries whose duty it is to implement the commands of our democratically elected representatives.
Word Forms
- functionaries
Synonyms for functionary
Depending on context, synonyms include bureaucrat, official, officer, administrator, apparatchik, paper-pusher.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include official, employee, officer, servant, functional, function.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.