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
Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
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
Sean Emery, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
The company thought the device was malfunctioning and sent him a replacement.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
The Waffle House waitress said the building’s management was inattentive to a raft of deeper issues, from sewage backups that crept into her bathtub to mold and a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
The rollout has drawn scrutiny over traffic disruptions, safety investigations and incidents involving stalled or malfunctioning vehicles, while also heightening anxiety among some ride-hailing drivers about the future of their jobs.
—Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
But the distance from earth prevents inspection and diagnosis of malfunctioning components, as well as sub-system upgrades or repairs.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Wearing only a watch, a headlamp and flip-flops, he's accused of removing a malfunctioning floodlight and Ring camera.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Your body isn’t malfunctioning.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 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
Adjective
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
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
Verb
The filings came after a malfunctioning storage tank containing volatile, flammable methyl methacrylate prompted evacuation orders across parts of Garden Grove and nearby cities amid fears of a catastrophic explosion.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
The company thought the device was malfunctioning and sent him a replacement.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
The Waffle House waitress said the building’s management was inattentive to a raft of deeper issues, from sewage backups that crept into her bathtub to mold and a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
The rollout has drawn scrutiny over traffic disruptions, safety investigations and incidents involving stalled or malfunctioning vehicles, while also heightening anxiety among some ride-hailing drivers about the future of their jobs.
—Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
But the distance from earth prevents inspection and diagnosis of malfunctioning components, as well as sub-system upgrades or repairs.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
Wearing only a watch, a headlamp and flip-flops, he's accused of removing a malfunctioning floodlight and Ring camera.
—Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Your body isn’t malfunctioning.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
Roy said the biggest challenge may be convincing Angelenos to cast a vote at all in what has historically been a low-turnout, down-ballot contest.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
-
After seven months of down time, SpaceX returned its Starship vehicle to the launch pad.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Following an on-site inspection in November 2020, the South Coast AQMD cited GKN Aerospace in 2021 for failing to maintain required emission records for volatile organic compounds, which are gases emitted from paints, coatings and solvents.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
But, following a string of disappointing national-team performances, including failing to qualify for the 1958 World Cup and shocking losses to both the Soviet Union and North Korea at the 1966 edition, the league reinstated the ban.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
30 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
-
The magic carpet ride of a season that included a Western League co-championship and a playoff run through the Loser’s Bracket that culminated in a CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship came to a crashing end Tuesday for the Patrick Henry High School baseball team.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
Surveillance video from Echo Brickell shows a car speeding down Brickell Avenue early Saturday morning and crashing into a tree just feet away from a group of people walking on the sidewalk.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Lemieux left Draper with a fractured jaw, broken cheekbone and a broken nose.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
The formula has almond, macadamia, and olive oils to moisturize, plus hydrolyzed keratin to support broken strands.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
Glamour,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Las Vegas passed a law in 2021 banning much of the valley’s ornamental turfgrass starting in 2027, and Phoenix wants to remove nonfunctional turfgrass from medians and business parks.—
Maggie Slepian,
Longreads,
14 May 2026
-
About 2 miles north near Centre Bridge, a pump designed to divert water from the Delaware River into the canal was found knocked over and nonfunctional.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
5 May 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
-
Epitaxial growth of SiC on wafers requires temperatures above 2732°F and precise precursor chemistry; even small process deviations can generate micropipe defects that render devices inoperable.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
-
The police also found that his room, which had an inoperable heater, smelled overwhelmingly of feces, and his mattress was badly stained, while a deadbolt from outside kept him from exiting, according to the New Zealand Herald.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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