as in to fail
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
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Recent Examples of malfunction
Our one qualm is that during testing, the cases sustained dents, and the zipper malfunctioned.
—
Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
But the system started showing signs of trouble shortly into the flight and eventually malfunctioned as flight Day 3 was winding down.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Marty’s role is to complain anytime the temperature drops below 80, but also serves as the neighborhood’s generous handyman, known to fix a malfunctioning garage door mid-match.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
The ship's lunar loo malfunctioned following liftoff and has remained a lingering issue.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
But the system started showing signs of trouble shortly into the flight and eventually malfunctioned as flight Day 3 was winding down.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Marty’s role is to complain anytime the temperature drops below 80, but also serves as the neighborhood’s generous handyman, known to fix a malfunctioning garage door mid-match.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
The ship's lunar loo malfunctioned following liftoff and has remained a lingering issue.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
-
Then doctors realized Gould's heart was failing.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Viva Supermarket failed a reinspection on Saturday, April 11 for similar violations.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The block had crashed through the ceiling and landed on the couch.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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But after further observations of its orbit, astronomers were able to rule out a risk of Apophis crashing into Earth for at least a century, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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