as in down
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
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
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can be emitted by malfunctioning fuel-burning heaters.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
The health department said the bar was in violation of several health code categories, including having a malfunctioning wastewater disposal system, evidence of smoking in food preparation areas, and more.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
However, though reports of AutoPay malfunctioning leading to higher bills this month have circulated on social media, the company has not had any recent issues with the system, Stewart said.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The couple was on their way to the ceremony when the aircraft started malfunctioning.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Of those calls, five were for minor incidents, including a complaint about a malfunctioning pump, an unconscious person on the ground and a fight among two youths, the officer said.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The one-time treatment, called RGX-121, is designed to replace a malfunctioning gene that causes mucopolysaccharidosis type II, also known as Hunter syndrome, an ultra-rare disorder that causes physical and cognitive impairments.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 9 Feb. 2026
There has been some pushback against Waymo’s rollout, including roughly two dozen protesters in January upset following instances of malfunctioning cars and collisions.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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
Another set piece involving a malfunctioning chair lift is excruciatingly tense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Four civilians died in the UAE, while two members of its armed forces were killed when a malfunctioning helicopter crashed.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can be emitted by malfunctioning fuel-burning heaters.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
The health department said the bar was in violation of several health code categories, including having a malfunctioning wastewater disposal system, evidence of smoking in food preparation areas, and more.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
However, though reports of AutoPay malfunctioning leading to higher bills this month have circulated on social media, the company has not had any recent issues with the system, Stewart said.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The couple was on their way to the ceremony when the aircraft started malfunctioning.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Of those calls, five were for minor incidents, including a complaint about a malfunctioning pump, an unconscious person on the ground and a fight among two youths, the officer said.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The one-time treatment, called RGX-121, is designed to replace a malfunctioning gene that causes mucopolysaccharidosis type II, also known as Hunter syndrome, an ultra-rare disorder that causes physical and cognitive impairments.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 9 Feb. 2026
There has been some pushback against Waymo’s rollout, including roughly two dozen protesters in January upset following instances of malfunctioning cars and collisions.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
Wayfair Sleep All-Season Down Alternative Comforter Bring luxurious comfort to your bedroom with this down alternative comforter that dozens of shoppers say feels like hotel bedding.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Funds approved for retaining wall work Little Rock officials are moving ahead with a project to remove and replace a failing stone retaining wall on the north side of City Hall.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Ducks improved to 8-0 in shootouts this season despite going just two for six against Montreal, with even Mason McTavish failing to score for the first time in six tries this season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 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
-
Scott Weiler, 52, lost control of the bike while riding west on South Coast Highway just before noon, sending it crashing into a light pole, the county agency reported.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
-
This was the end-credits scene for Elio to tease Hoppers as the next Pixar film, but the brief clip resonated so loudly and turned lil' Tom into, essentially, the mascot for crashing out.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But anyone who opens a new E-ZPass account or is looking to replace a broken transponder will instead get a free windshield sticker, which has radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology embedded into the paper.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The attack stemmed from a long-running dispute over yard debris and resulted in Paul suffering six broken ribs, pneumonia, and having part of a lung removed.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the vendors whose contract with Cal OES is ending said that the agency has still not provided evidence that the existing regional Next Generation 911 system is unsafe or nonfunctional.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
There wasn’t much else to do considering the Wi-Fi, now free for all Rapid Rewards members, was nonfunctional.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Every home has that one drawer where unknown or inoperative chargers end up, becoming a tangled mess.—
Kaylei Fear,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The agency has also probed 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports of exterior door handles becoming inoperative due to low battery voltage, leading to instances of children stuck inside.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The bag handle broke and is inoperable.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Finally, after Mason let fans know there was an electrical circuit issue and the video board would be inoperable for the remainder of the game, the crowd broke out in a collective cheer as the buzzer finally turned off and basketball could resume.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
