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
Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The handwash sink next to the restrooms and kitchen had a malfunctioning soap dispenser.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
There's also the scenario where the user experience just isn't great, whether that's subpar customer service or a malfunctioning app.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 sanitation workers went on strike after two workers were crushed by a malfunctioning garbage truck — a tragic incident in a history of city neglect of Black workers.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
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
Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
In an arrest affidavit, investigators said Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, armed with two semiautomatic handguns, walked into the lobby of the school that afternoon, told everyone to hit the ground and tried to shoot one student but was thwarted by a malfunctioning weapon.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
But last month, the company said the malfunctioning Starlink satellite posed no threat to the International Space Station and other space missions in the area.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Marty’s role is to complain anytime the temperature drops below 80, but also serves as the neighborhood’s generous handyman, known to fix a malfunctioning garage door mid-match.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
For the second time since launch, Orion’s toilet is malfunctioning.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Two park employees quickly arrive to scoop up the malfunctioning animatronic device and carry it away.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Interference has caused aircraft to appear having traveled in erratic, wave-like patterns; on land, malfunctioning GPS systems have also caused food delivery riders to appear off the coast of Dubai.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
To do so, Reddick had to overcome a malfunctioning battery and a large deficit in the final 50 laps.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The handwash sink next to the restrooms and kitchen had a malfunctioning soap dispenser.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
There's also the scenario where the user experience just isn't great, whether that's subpar customer service or a malfunctioning app.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 sanitation workers went on strike after two workers were crushed by a malfunctioning garbage truck — a tragic incident in a history of city neglect of Black workers.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
Your body isn’t malfunctioning.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
In an arrest affidavit, investigators said Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, armed with two semiautomatic handguns, walked into the lobby of the school that afternoon, told everyone to hit the ground and tried to shoot one student but was thwarted by a malfunctioning weapon.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
But last month, the company said the malfunctioning Starlink satellite posed no threat to the International Space Station and other space missions in the area.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Marty’s role is to complain anytime the temperature drops below 80, but also serves as the neighborhood’s generous handyman, known to fix a malfunctioning garage door mid-match.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
For the second time since launch, Orion’s toilet is malfunctioning.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Two park employees quickly arrive to scoop up the malfunctioning animatronic device and carry it away.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Interference has caused aircraft to appear having traveled in erratic, wave-like patterns; on land, malfunctioning GPS systems have also caused food delivery riders to appear off the coast of Dubai.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
To do so, Reddick had to overcome a malfunctioning battery and a large deficit in the final 50 laps.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
The left-leaning Pipeline Fund, which started in 2018, helped Democrats in Florida pick up fifteen school-board seats in 2024, and plans to back candidates in school-board and other down-ballot races across twenty-one states in the next midterms.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
The Eastern Conference clearly had the stronger goalies in general, even in a down season for future Hockey Hall of Famer Sergei Bobrovsky.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Ugarte previously agreed to a $25,000 settlement with the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission over failing to disclose outside income earned through his consulting firm while serving as a City Hall aide to Price.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
While the city has admirably put forward goals such as reducing chronic homelessness by 50%, ending family homelessness and eliminating long-term encampments within five years, there appear to be no consequences for repeatedly failing to meet these targets.—
Adam B. Summers,
Oc Register,
9 May 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
-
And yet, this underwhelming sequel reads more like a slow-motion rendering of the exact moment such notoriously cumbersome IP came crashing down on its challenger.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
-
An 18-year-old man died on Sunday after losing control of his car and crashing on Highway 74 in Riverside County, according to the California Highway Patrol.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The boy suffered several injuries, including a concussion, skull fracture, broken wrist and fractured femur, prosecutors said.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
From the scandal of his early figurative work in the 1960s, through the upside-down paintings that became his signature, to the wooden figures shown at the 1980 Venice Biennale that appeared to salute like broken monuments, his practice was defined by disruption.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
This new statute requires various property owners, including HOAs, to either remove nonfunctional turf or begin irrigating it with reclaimed water.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Three months later, the plant remained nonfunctional Thursday night, reducing the Cheboygan dam's ability to pass floodwater that had climbed within five inches of its crest.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And there’s been plenty of media focus since then — including on inoperative toilets.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The antiskid system was inoperative, and all four main tires on the landing gear blew.—
Jeff Suess,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Farmers across Cuba have watched their equipment become inoperable due to lack of fuel, leading them to be forced to rely on animal and manual labor to make ends meet.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
Scans eventually revealed a tumor in her bowel, and although Fyfe underwent surgery, the cancer has since spread and is now considered inoperable, the fundraiser states.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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