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
Initial investigations by both Universal and state regulators indicate the ride did not malfunction.
—
Eve Chen, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
During the chase, the man was seen pointing a firearm at the officer, but the weapon malfunctioned, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
But Cate’s powers have been malfunctioning and she’s been advised not to use them.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening or otherwise malfunctioning since 2018, Bloomberg found.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Eve Chen, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
During the chase, the man was seen pointing a firearm at the officer, but the weapon malfunctioned, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
But Cate’s powers have been malfunctioning and she’s been advised not to use them.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening or otherwise malfunctioning since 2018, Bloomberg found.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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But Kempes had failed to score at the World Cup four years earlier, and started this tournament slowly.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Water bottles left behind were filled with black urine – a sign of failing kidneys and dehydration.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One student whose desk is near the wall, asked to be moved after hearing about Sanford's pickup truck crashing into the church itself.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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As Brown crashed hard onto the orange turf of the end zone, his helmet popped off, spinning several yards while Brown continued rolling with the ball clutched in his arms.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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