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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malfunctioning
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
According to multiple news reports, the company is replacing all the malfunctioning lights under warranty.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Choppy text — a mix of computer code and poetry — runs across the malfunctioning images.
—Nicole Acheampong, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Retail experts saw a lack of investment in Hudson’s Bay stores, diminishing service levels and deteriorating physical conditions, like malfunctioning escalators and water damage in certain locations.
—David Moin, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025
Jacob had been called out to the site hours before to investigate a malfunctioning pump and stopped answering his cellphone, according to criminal charges later filed against the company by the federal government.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
If the series mirrors the comic, Eve's malfunctioning powers in the end could hint at her future pregnancy.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Industry veterans say other companies commonly provide temporary replacements while a patient with a malfunctioning device waits for a repair or a new, permanent one to arrive.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 10 Mar. 2025
In the meantime, the representative suggested unplugging the malfunctioning BiPAP for 30 minutes.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
Police claim the accident was due to a faulty or malfunctioning seat belt on the ride, Times of India reported.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
According to multiple news reports, the company is replacing all the malfunctioning lights under warranty.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Choppy text — a mix of computer code and poetry — runs across the malfunctioning images.
—Nicole Acheampong, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Retail experts saw a lack of investment in Hudson’s Bay stores, diminishing service levels and deteriorating physical conditions, like malfunctioning escalators and water damage in certain locations.
—David Moin, WWD, 24 Mar. 2025
Jacob had been called out to the site hours before to investigate a malfunctioning pump and stopped answering his cellphone, according to criminal charges later filed against the company by the federal government.
—Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
If the series mirrors the comic, Eve's malfunctioning powers in the end could hint at her future pregnancy.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Industry veterans say other companies commonly provide temporary replacements while a patient with a malfunctioning device waits for a repair or a new, permanent one to arrive.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 10 Mar. 2025
In the meantime, the representative suggested unplugging the malfunctioning BiPAP for 30 minutes.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 10 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
There is a broken down vehicle on I-35 between 119th Street/Exit 220 and I-435/Exit 222.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Over the years, Fox has sustained multiple broken bones, including both arms, his shoulder, his orbital bone and cheek and his hand, which resulted in a serious infection.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Millsap school board unanimously accepted the resignation of Superintendent Edie Martin, who was recently arrested and faces a charge related to failing to report abuse of special education students.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Having no willingness to pay Tucker and failing to approach pending free agent Framber Valdez this spring about an extension is more emblematic of how the Astros have always conducted business.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Panthers had Graham Gano, one the mightiest kickers in the league but who was recovering from an injury and trying to recoup from a statistical down year.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Read more: Bears, Vikings Linked as Possible Trade Partners in Suggested QB Trade Last season with the Dolphins, Hill had a down year.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 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
-
But with no updates coming from app stores, the app will likely become more buggy and eventually nonfunctional for U.S. users.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Mosaic madness Adorn a nonfunctional fireplace with a kaleidoscope of mosaics.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Also inoperative the morning of the crash were the runway alignment indicator lights, which had not worked for more than three years.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
-
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Schools are now shelters, hospitals are nearly inoperable.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
-
Hegseth and others have not disputed the contents of the DIA report but have focused on a CIA statement and other intelligence assessments, including those out of Iran and Israel, that said the strikes severely damaged the nuclear sites and rendered the enrichment facility inoperable.—
Tara Copp,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Infrastructure is useless without operators who can manage it.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The deals typically provide revenue for the host community while enabling the solar industry to cover essentially useless land with solar panels rather than taking out-of-service farmland, open fields or similar space.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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