as in failed
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
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Recent Examples of malfunctioned
The Wild Twister previously malfunctioned another time in March 2021, leaving 14 riders stranded for six minutes, The Standard Hong Kong reported.
—
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Two theme parkgoers were trapped more than 100 feet in the air for more than 30 minutes this week after a roller coaster in Texas malfunctioned.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The plane’s landing gear malfunctioned, according to a team spokesperson.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The most significant fire was on Wednesday when an investigator said a generator being used at a home on Pleasant Park Road in Conifer malfunctioned.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Strobe lighting inside the arena used for pre-game introductions malfunctioned badly, staying on and flickering, causing a glare on the court.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Dec. 2025
Xcel Energy sought to keep the unit running after coal unit Comanche 3, the utility’s largest power generating source, malfunctioned in August.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
What was meant to be a short stay in space for US astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore stretched into a more than nine-month mission, after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to ferry them home malfunctioned.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
According to the release, Nunn collided with the rock wall on El Capitan after his equipment malfunctioned.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Two theme parkgoers were trapped more than 100 feet in the air for more than 30 minutes this week after a roller coaster in Texas malfunctioned.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The plane’s landing gear malfunctioned, according to a team spokesperson.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The most significant fire was on Wednesday when an investigator said a generator being used at a home on Pleasant Park Road in Conifer malfunctioned.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Strobe lighting inside the arena used for pre-game introductions malfunctioned badly, staying on and flickering, causing a glare on the court.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Dec. 2025
Xcel Energy sought to keep the unit running after coal unit Comanche 3, the utility’s largest power generating source, malfunctioned in August.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
What was meant to be a short stay in space for US astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore stretched into a more than nine-month mission, after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to ferry them home malfunctioned.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
According to the release, Nunn collided with the rock wall on El Capitan after his equipment malfunctioned.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioned
Verb
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The Federal Bureau of Prisons tried but failed to get Peters moved to a federal prison.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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The audit also noted that the shelter had failed to expand medical care, including trap-neuter-return services.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Department of Homeland Security says the man fled officers in a vehicle but crashed into a parked car and then took off on foot.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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The man fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into a parked car and then ran away on foot, DHS said.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioned. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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