MALFUNCTIONING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

malfunctioning 1 of 2

adjective

as in down

not being in working order a malfunctioning computer cost us days of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

malfunctioning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of malfunction

as in failing

to fail to function or work properly A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

starting (up)

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 malfunctioning

Adjective

Riders had to evacuate its log ride on seven separate occasions because of issues such as boats colliding or becoming jammed and smoke coming from a malfunctioning part of the ride. — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Homeowners reported a swift meeting at which officers discussed a reorganization of their specific duties and the hiring of an elevator expert to fix the chronically malfunctioning, overloaded elevators. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Nuggets, wings, manchurian mix, lentils and chicken were stored above proper holding temperatures in a malfunctioning refrigerator unit. — Vince Basada august 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Edmiston arrived on a separate boat to help the group with the malfunctioning vessel, and denies having any role in Wells’ death, his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Oen Sujet’s catalog sounds equally like the product of a random number generator or a malfunctioning algorithm as of a deeply mercurial artist. — Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026 Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet. — Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026

Verb

But residents say the stream of Airbnb guests in and out of their lobby, around their swimming pools and up and down on the overtaxed, malfunctioning elevators has not abated. — Linda Robertson updated October 22, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Those obstacles were plentiful on the set, since the Rocky puppet was often breaking or malfunctioning. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 Thomas drives away with a limp, malfunctioning Vision next to him, and an illusory, wisecracking Ultron in the back seat. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 One room of it has recently been converted into a studio of sorts for her partner Mehmet (Metin Akdülger), an experimental musician who is as likely to want to record the sound of a malfunctioning kitchen appliance as to fix it. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 But helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters raised safety concerns, leading NASA to decide Williams and Wilmore could not return to Earth onboard Calypso. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026 Inside the messy lab, malfunctioning doors are the first obstacle. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Deaths apparently caused by malfunctioning or inaccessible doorhandles, have led to regulatory changes in China, prompting the widespread recalls involving nine automakers. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 But reports suggest initial enrollment takes longer, and has been slowed down by malfunctioning equipment, technical bugs, insufficient personnel, and inconsistent implementation across crossings. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning

Adjective

The team might have experienced a down season in 2025, but one midfielder stood out on tape and in live action nonetheless.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Around 100 Republicans gathered in the middle of the store, and several down-ballot Republicans spoke before him, including the lieutenant governor nominee.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of down

Verb

In a recent letter, the two leaders criticized the EPA for failing to oversee the generators and called for the group to regulate generator emissions.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026
That’s because in countless ways and for decades, New York has been struggling, and largely failing, to grapple with the housing crisis.

— Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of failing

Adjective

Drivers say their contract issues center on pay as well as safety issues, including nonfunctioning heaters, loudspeakers and windshield wipers.

— Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb. 2023
In 2020, the state of Virginia passed some bills limiting pretextual traffic stops—for example, when police spot nonfunctioning brake or tail lights or hear an overly loud exhaust system.

— Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 30 Jan. 2023

Definition of nonfunctioning

Verb

The acrobatic routine rushed to a conclusion with Johnson grabbing Shum and ripping off his tie, sending the actor crashing to the ground, convulsing, as each attempt to get up was met by his partner repeatedly shoving him down with her foot.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
That decision, Puente said, resulted in the Renfe train crashing into the Iryo train, which was stationary on the tracks further ahead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of crashing

Adjective

Beetz is phenomenal as a young woman rocked by her own broken family history, willing to put herself in harm’s way to stop Jurek’s terror.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Sculptural and subversive, it’s made from broken windows, melted glass bottles, and is repurposed using old engine oil as fuel.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of broken

Adjective

The law makes a distinction between ‘useful’ creations that cannot be copyrighted, including most clothing, and nonfunctional sculptural works like jewelry that may be eligible for copyright protection.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Subsense showed off a nonfunctional mock-up of a cap that looked like a cross between a baseball cap and a bike helmet.

— Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of nonfunctional

Adjective

If the main engines were to become inoperative, six smaller orbit-control thrusters can still be activated on the lunar surface, providing an alternative pathway for a rapid ascent.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
And there’s been plenty of media focus since then — including on inoperative toilets.

— Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of inoperative

Adjective

There was a small, inoperable well, an opera house and a carpenter’s studio, a dressmaker, a blacksmith, a bank.

— Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026
Ukraine’s strike force became inoperable behind front lines; Russian drones were able to hit populated areas, adding to Ukraine’s already high civilian death toll.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of inoperable

Browse Nearby Words

malfunctioned

malfunctioning

malfunctions

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Style

“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of malfunctioning

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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