as in failed
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of malfunctioned
The heavy-lift rocket was just cleared to fly by the Federal Aviation Administration last week after a different issue on its third flight, NG-3, in which the upper stage was not able to put its payload into the correct orbit after one of its two engines malfunctioned.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Eight students were rescued on May 28 after a roller coaster malfunctioned in Galveston, Texas, fire officials said.
—James Powel, USA Today, 29 May 2026
On April 20, during the New Glenn rocket’s third launch, the booster’s second stage malfunctioned and failed to deliver a commercial satellite into its intended orbit.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 May 2026
As the season started collapsing around the Knicks, the Garden shot clocks malfunctioned in Game 5, forcing the use of old-school clocks on the floor.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Initially, several of the victims' families assumed that the car had malfunctioned or that Shirilla had been under the influence of substances.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Police said the electrical escalator malfunctioned, suddenly jolted, and threw people on it forward.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The first satellite, which cost $700 million, malfunctioned upon its entrance into orbit.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The vehicle successfully placed a Blue Origin prototype satellite in orbit, although its first-stage booster malfunctioned and fell into the ocean.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Eight students were rescued on May 28 after a roller coaster malfunctioned in Galveston, Texas, fire officials said.
—James Powel, USA Today, 29 May 2026
On April 20, during the New Glenn rocket’s third launch, the booster’s second stage malfunctioned and failed to deliver a commercial satellite into its intended orbit.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 May 2026
As the season started collapsing around the Knicks, the Garden shot clocks malfunctioned in Game 5, forcing the use of old-school clocks on the floor.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Initially, several of the victims' families assumed that the car had malfunctioned or that Shirilla had been under the influence of substances.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Police said the electrical escalator malfunctioned, suddenly jolted, and threw people on it forward.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 13 May 2026
The first satellite, which cost $700 million, malfunctioned upon its entrance into orbit.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
The vehicle successfully placed a Blue Origin prototype satellite in orbit, although its first-stage booster malfunctioned and fell into the ocean.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioned
Verb
-
In corporate news, shares in Universal Music Group were seen down 6% following reports that Pershing Square had sold its stake in the group, after two failed takeover attempts.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Lab tests showed that the plants without the active inceptin receptor failed to emit this volatile blend when exposed to either the synthetic In11 peptide or actual caterpillar oral secretions.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Once Tolle was done the Red Sox were in cruise control, though the club endured one scary moment in the seventh when Rafaela crashed into the center field wall at full speed trying to make a catch on what wound up being an RBI triple by Adley Rutschman.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
-
The plane crashed near Medulin, a town on the Istria peninsula, a statement said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioned. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
