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 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
An automatic routing system meant to select appropriate model variants malfunctioned on launch day, consistently defaulting to less capable versions.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
But trouble stuck early when Colby’s carabiner used to clip into the rope course malfunctioned.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Smith later said that his left mirror malfunctioned and thus didn’t see Haley and ultimately took the blame for the wreck.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2025
It is suspected that the private jet’s landing gear malfunctioned, leading to the accident.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Feb. 2025
The moment was particularly unfortunate as the audio malfunctioned as the clip was introducing festival founder Robert Redford.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
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
An automatic routing system meant to select appropriate model variants malfunctioned on launch day, consistently defaulting to less capable versions.
—Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
But trouble stuck early when Colby’s carabiner used to clip into the rope course malfunctioned.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Smith later said that his left mirror malfunctioned and thus didn’t see Haley and ultimately took the blame for the wreck.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2025
It is suspected that the private jet’s landing gear malfunctioned, leading to the accident.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Feb. 2025
The moment was particularly unfortunate as the audio malfunctioned as the clip was introducing festival founder Robert Redford.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioned
Verb
-
Yet most failed to note the hospital’s long-standing use as a base for Hamas operations.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Although his shoes contained 10 ounces of highly explosive material, his attempt to light the fuse failed because of foot perspiration.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That Tuesday morning, Rodriguez was home with a seven-month-old baby when a friend of hers—who happened to be a police officer at the 41st Precinct in the Bronx—called her to tell her a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.—
Rachel Burchfield,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
And in a rural field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony marked by moments of silence, the reading of names and the laying of wreaths, will honor the victims of Flight 93, the hijacked plane that crashed after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioned. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share