Synonyms of malfunctioning

malfunctioning 1 of 2

adjective

as in down

not being in working order

a malfunctioning computer cost us days of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• down
• nonfunctioning
• broken
• nonfunctional
• inoperative
• inoperable
• out of commission
• off
• haywire
• nonoperating
• useless
• on the fritz
• kaput
• on the blink
• unusable
• ineffective
• deactivated
• unworkable
• ineffectual
• unproductive
• deadlocked
• nonproductive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• operating
• functioning
• operational
• functional
• operative
• working
• running
• effective
• useful
• operable
• producing
• viable
• operant
• usable
• productive
• serving
• workable
• effectual
• performing
• employable

malfunctioning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of malfunction

as in failing

to fail to function or work properly

A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.

Related Words

• failing
• crashing
• dying
• stalling
• acting up
• cutting out
• sputtering
• breaking down
• giving out
• wheezing
• breaking
• jamming
• fizzling
• conking (out)

Dissimilar Words

• starting (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of malfunctioning

Adjective

Homeowners reported a swift meeting at which officers discussed a reorganization of their specific duties and the hiring of an elevator expert to fix the chronically malfunctioning, overloaded elevators. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Nuggets, wings, manchurian mix, lentils and chicken were stored above proper holding temperatures in a malfunctioning refrigerator unit. — Vince Basada august 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Edmiston arrived on a separate boat to help the group with the malfunctioning vessel, and denies having any role in Wells’ death, his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Oen Sujet’s catalog sounds equally like the product of a random number generator or a malfunctioning algorithm as of a deeply mercurial artist. — Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026

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

Verb

YouTube is filled with examples of drivers misusing such systems, particularly Tesla products, as well as videos of ADAS doing human-like moves but also malfunctioning and needing assistance. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

But reports suggest initial enrollment takes longer, and has been slowed down by malfunctioning equipment, technical bugs, insufficient personnel, and inconsistent implementation across crossings. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 12 Aug. 2026

Construction workers clung to a malfunctioning crane Friday as its arm collapsed onto the pool deck of a neighboring luxury high-rise in Miami, video shot by a bystander showed. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Park staff told inspectors that the water-recirculation equipment had recently been changed and that the pool filter was malfunctioning and leaking. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

Additionally, potatoes, chicken, tofu and fish were stored above proper temperatures in a malfunctioning walk-in refrigerator. — Vince Basada august 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Warning Signs of an Aging Refrigerator It’s easy to panic when a refrigerator starts malfunctioning. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026

The surging popularity of democratic socialism on the left wing of American politics reflects the same dynamic—an embrace of socialism in theory that is, in practice, a complaint about malfunctioning consumer capitalism. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

In Braham, located in a more rural area north of Minneapolis, public works personnel also discovered the problem Monday after noticing the well supplying the city's water tower was malfunctioning. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 31 July 2026