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
The couple was on their way to the ceremony when the aircraft started malfunctioning.
—
Elle Meier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
This time, the rocket’s helium system malfunctioned, further delaying astronauts’ first trip to the moon in more than half a century.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
But Calypso’s thrusters malfunctioned during docking, and the spacecraft temporarily lost its ability to fully control its motion and position in space—a moment that, according to Isaacman and other sources, could easily have ended in disaster.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2026
Shortly after the launch, however, mission managers detected helium leaks in the capsule’s propulsion system, and then several thrusters malfunctioned as the spacecraft tried to dock with the space station.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Elle Meier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
This time, the rocket’s helium system malfunctioned, further delaying astronauts’ first trip to the moon in more than half a century.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
But Calypso’s thrusters malfunctioned during docking, and the spacecraft temporarily lost its ability to fully control its motion and position in space—a moment that, according to Isaacman and other sources, could easily have ended in disaster.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2026
Shortly after the launch, however, mission managers detected helium leaks in the capsule’s propulsion system, and then several thrusters malfunctioned as the spacecraft tried to dock with the space station.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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The Ducks improved to 8-0 in shootouts this season despite going just two for six against Montreal, with even Mason McTavish failing to score for the first time in six tries this season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Doctors had little to offer Reid beyond steroids, which reduce inflammation but can cause bone fractures and diabetes, and a select few immunosuppressant drugs, which expose patients to infections and often fail to halt the disease’s progression.—
Jason Liebowitz,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said an Iranian drone crashed near the airport in Nakhchivan, and another one hit near a school.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Miller’s brother said the two stayed in contact during the trip, and Miller mentioned crashing his truck after hitting an elk, according to the Times.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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