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
Guests were stranded in mid-air over the weekend after a thrill ride with rotating arms malfunctioned at Knott’s Berry Farm.
—
Eve Chen, USA Today, 28 July 2025
The restaurant was temporarily closed by the city for multiple serious health violations, including a malfunctioning refrigerator and freezer, mold growth and food buildup on kitchen equipment.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Security cameras malfunctioned, guards allegedly fell asleep, and logs were falsified—all on the night of Epstein's death.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
At Avondale, the malfunctioning elevators have serious consequences for disabled residents.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Eve Chen, USA Today, 28 July 2025
The restaurant was temporarily closed by the city for multiple serious health violations, including a malfunctioning refrigerator and freezer, mold growth and food buildup on kitchen equipment.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Security cameras malfunctioned, guards allegedly fell asleep, and logs were falsified—all on the night of Epstein's death.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
At Avondale, the malfunctioning elevators have serious consequences for disabled residents.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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Crucially, many systems still fail to consider complexities like second marriages, age diversity, regional variation or cross-cultural compatibility.—
Anuradha Gupta,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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And residents who fail to remove water from outdoor receptacles could face fines and the possibility of having their electricity turned off.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While the newcomers have potential, veterans could crash the (podium) party.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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In 1947: The Kon-Tiki crashed into a coral reef in the Tuamotu Islands after carrying Thor Heyerdahl and his five-member crew more than 4,000 miles from Peru.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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