as in down
not being in working order
a malfunctioning computer cost us days of work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in failing
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malfunctioning
Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
Its Care Team members replicate the roles of Apple Geniuses, helping people who come in with malfunctioning devices or other troubles.
—Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Ultraviolet purifiers have issues with batteries malfunctioning in the cold.
—Kaelyn Lynch, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
With the deal tabled, the cooperative is addressing issues such as damaged ceilings, peeling paint, and malfunctioning heaters before relisting the property.
—Hamza Adel Fahmy, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
As the vehicles have become more visible on local roads, drivers and pedestrians have posted videos questioning how the autonomous cars respond to unusual traffic situations, including malfunctioning traffic lights or complicated intersections.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
That your fridge isn’t just malfunctioning because of some electrical failure.
—Broti Gupta, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
If a traffic signal is malfunctioning, motorists should treat the intersection as a four-way stop, Casey told the Observer.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) serves central and northern California, where its malfunctioning infrastructure bore primary responsibility for several enormously destructive wildfires, including the 2018 Camp Fire, which caused billions of dollars in damage and killed eighty-five people.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
After approaching a mic that appeared to be malfunctioning, Bono, 65, and May, 51, began singing to a crowd on a makeshift stage around the Gaiety Theatre.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Elk Creek Fire An initial investigation into the fire indicates it was caused in part by a malfunctioning gas generator and also high winds.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025
Its Care Team members replicate the roles of Apple Geniuses, helping people who come in with malfunctioning devices or other troubles.
—Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Crypto of all varieties seems to be malfunctioning compared to the shiny stuff.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Ultraviolet purifiers have issues with batteries malfunctioning in the cold.
—Kaelyn Lynch, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
With the deal tabled, the cooperative is addressing issues such as damaged ceilings, peeling paint, and malfunctioning heaters before relisting the property.
—Hamza Adel Fahmy, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
As the vehicles have become more visible on local roads, drivers and pedestrians have posted videos questioning how the autonomous cars respond to unusual traffic situations, including malfunctioning traffic lights or complicated intersections.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
That your fridge isn’t just malfunctioning because of some electrical failure.
—Broti Gupta, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
If a traffic signal is malfunctioning, motorists should treat the intersection as a four-way stop, Casey told the Observer.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) serves central and northern California, where its malfunctioning infrastructure bore primary responsibility for several enormously destructive wildfires, including the 2018 Camp Fire, which caused billions of dollars in damage and killed eighty-five people.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
After approaching a mic that appeared to be malfunctioning, Bono, 65, and May, 51, began singing to a crowd on a makeshift stage around the Gaiety Theatre.
—Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
The down-time feeling immediate.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Dent curled around a down screen and drove for a floater.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this month, McIntyre, who’d been feuding with Fatu prior to Fatu’s TV absence, finally toppled Rhodes after previously failing to do so multiple occasions.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Prior to Gonzales’ trial, Eiglarsh told CNN there was a wide gap between an officer failing to follow proper protocol and acting criminally.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Drivers say their contract issues center on pay as well as safety issues, including nonfunctioning heaters, loudspeakers and windshield wipers.—
Zaz Hollander,
Anchorage Daily News,
4 Feb. 2023
-
In 2020, the state of Virginia passed some bills limiting pretextual traffic stops—for example, when police spot nonfunctioning brake or tail lights or hear an overly loud exhaust system.—
Michael Tomasky,
The New Republic,
30 Jan. 2023
Verb
-
Head to destinations with stirring water views, from the crashing cascades of Niagara Falls to the dramatic Oregon coast.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
-
With deep economic instability and a crashing local currency the primary drivers of the uprisings, few Iranians can afford doing that for long.—
Talla Mountjoy,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His high school career lasted just two games before a broken collarbone ended it prematurely.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Private insurance often covers a finite number of occupational or physical therapy sessions that would help someone recover from, say, a surgery or a broken bone.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When heading out to look for lamps, take a lightbulb along to test them in-store, but also consider rewiring nonfunctional pieces.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Much of it eventually became nonfunctional.—
Matt Randolph,
Forbes.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Info menu indicates the right rear sensor is inoperative.—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The agency has also probed 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports of exterior door handles becoming inoperative due to low battery voltage, leading to instances of children stuck inside vehicles.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During the course of deliberately ramming the cop car, the teen’s vehicle was rendered inoperable.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Responses can be incorrect, activations trigger the wrong content, and the voice recognition features are often inoperable.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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