as in broken
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
Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
In the film, directed by Mike Judge, Peter Gibbons (Livingston) and his coworkers, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), enjoy the last day at their job by taking out years of frustrations on their frequently malfunctioning office printer.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
To prevent damage, our body tries to eliminate malfunctioning T cells in a lymphoid organ in the chest, called the thymus, through a process known as central tolerance, according to The Associated Press.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
This disease results from missing or malfunctioning regulatory T cells.
—Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Talk on the internet veered toward some malfunctioning collars, but, overall, the look was sharp.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening or otherwise malfunctioning since 2018, Bloomberg found.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
But Cate’s powers have been malfunctioning and she’s been advised not to use them.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
When that happens, 67% of teens say their malfunctioning laptop ruins their entire day.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Kansas City’s 311 website has a traffic signal section for reporting malfunctioning signal timing.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
In the film, directed by Mike Judge, Peter Gibbons (Livingston) and his coworkers, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), enjoy the last day at their job by taking out years of frustrations on their frequently malfunctioning office printer.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
To prevent damage, our body tries to eliminate malfunctioning T cells in a lymphoid organ in the chest, called the thymus, through a process known as central tolerance, according to The Associated Press.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
This disease results from missing or malfunctioning regulatory T cells.
—Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Talk on the internet veered toward some malfunctioning collars, but, overall, the look was sharp.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening or otherwise malfunctioning since 2018, Bloomberg found.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
But Cate’s powers have been malfunctioning and she’s been advised not to use them.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
When that happens, 67% of teens say their malfunctioning laptop ruins their entire day.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
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Unfortunately, it was later revealed that Ibushi had suffered a broken femur, something that could take a significant amount of time to return from.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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Coristine recently recounted the incident that left him with a broken nose and a concussion.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In August, five Northern Virginia school districts were found by the Department of Education to be in violation of Title IX for failing to roll back policies allowing transgender students.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
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For Jonah, bottom wasn’t failing out of college and mulling suicide.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The best puffer jackets with trim Be it by way of fluffy trim on a down hoodie or an extra-soft lining, fur and shearling elements make our favorite outerwear extra-toasty.—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
Glamour,
14 Oct. 2025
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In 2006, Clendenen — an avid runner and reader in her down time — joined the San Diego Police Department with an interest in investigations.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The film, which centers on a woman whose life is literally and figuratively crashing down around her, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival before heading to the Berlin Film Festival, where Byrne was awarded the best actress prize.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
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Jenner, now a billionaire, launched her makeup brand under the persona, her multi-toned lip kits often crashing the company site from popularity.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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Internal displacement, malnutrition, and disease are widespread, with nearly 95 percent of the population forced from their homes and most health facilities damaged or nonfunctional.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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There was one nonfunctional small reach-in refrigerator next to the griddle.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the speed came from all three levels of Green Bay’s defense, rendering Washington’s offense almost inoperative.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For example, Hurricane Helene, which affected much of Western North Carolina almost exactly one year ago, resulted in more than 450 mail routes being inoperable due to the storm, according to a news release from USPS.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
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Under local law, even inoperable or replica weapons are considered potentially operable if they can be modified to fire, placing them under the same strict legal framework.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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