as in broken
not being in working order
a malfunctioning computer cost us days of work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in failing
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
Related Words
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 malfunctioning
Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Ford Motor is recalling more than one million cars for malfunctioning rear-view cameras, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Troops report having to send malfunctioning drones that could have been fixed with a drop of glue back to the manufacturer at a cost of $26,000 apiece.
—Michael R. Bloomberg, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Second, Teslas equipped with FSD autonomous vehicle software will need to navigate those narrow underground tunnels at high speeds without crashing or malfunctioning.
—Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
The Maricopa County medical examiner commonly finds that people who die in their homes had malfunctioning air conditioners.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Thousands of fragments orbit Earth, left behind by collisions, missile tests, and malfunctioning spacecraft.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Ford Motor is recalling more than one million cars for malfunctioning rear-view cameras, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Troops report having to send malfunctioning drones that could have been fixed with a drop of glue back to the manufacturer at a cost of $26,000 apiece.
—Michael R. Bloomberg, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Second, Teslas equipped with FSD autonomous vehicle software will need to navigate those narrow underground tunnels at high speeds without crashing or malfunctioning.
—Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
The Maricopa County medical examiner commonly finds that people who die in their homes had malfunctioning air conditioners.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Thousands of fragments orbit Earth, left behind by collisions, missile tests, and malfunctioning spacecraft.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
The family gave the news station a tour of the home, showing dirty paw prints and broken appliances and pieces of furniture left in the bear's wake.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
-
In Maine, the city of Bangor sued Namdar twice last year, first for code violations including a leaking roof and parking lot disrepair at a local mall, then for a broken sewer line, according to the Bangor Daily News.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The speed with which West Springs released him prompted federal officials to investigate the hospital for failing to properly screen and stabilize him before his discharge.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
22 Sep. 2025
-
How to Watch Azerbaijan Grand Prix Saturday's qualifying session was chaotic, with two drivers failing to record a time in Q3.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This new capsule collection, comprised of versatile essentials including polos, down jackets and blazers, reflects the brand philosophy of minimalism, elegance and strength.—
Finbarr Toesland,
Robb Report,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The André x Elho capsule is part of the winter 2025-26 collection, whose novelties include a down version of Elho’s bomber jacket, anointed the Astro and boasting 90 percent recycled down and a high-quality ripstop fabric.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 37-second, black and white commercial shows Mickey crashing a boat into Minnie Mouse, prompting her to call the law firm.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
-
That crashing sea, the shoreline jagged with black rock.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
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
Adjective
-
In Sudan, 70 percent of health facilities are nonfunctional.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
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,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
An oven in the kitchen by the three-compartment sink and a fryer in the dry storage room were inoperable.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Exterior door handles can also become inoperable in the event of power loss.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share