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 combination of the roof drain and the city line to the road malfunctioned, both contributing to flooding in the school's two 4K classrooms, which are two rooms that are joined together and are divided by a moveable wall.
—
Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Props malfunctioned, the set grew claustrophobic, and the cast was sometimes left waiting around idly while Scott and cinematographer Derek Vanlint obsessed over lighting details.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Those alterations include adjustments to a component called a fuel diffuser, which the company believes malfunctioned during the last flight, causing higher-than-expected pressure to build up in Starship’s nose cone.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
The Maricopa County medical examiner commonly finds that people who die in their homes had malfunctioning air conditioners.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Props malfunctioned, the set grew claustrophobic, and the cast was sometimes left waiting around idly while Scott and cinematographer Derek Vanlint obsessed over lighting details.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Those alterations include adjustments to a component called a fuel diffuser, which the company believes malfunctioned during the last flight, causing higher-than-expected pressure to build up in Starship’s nose cone.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
The Maricopa County medical examiner commonly finds that people who die in their homes had malfunctioning air conditioners.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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Likely to have less impact on your buying decision (but still reside in the back of your mind) is that if one of the triple-panel fans fails, the entire triple-fan unit needs replacing, not just one fan.—
Thomas Soderstrom,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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The new glue has impressive properties, including its ability to withstand significant forces before failing.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the finale, Laura crashes Daniel and Cherry’s engagement party, and Cherry is arrested for vandalizing Laura’s gallery.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Estonia last month reported a Ukrainian drone crashing and exploding on its territory.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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