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
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
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Scuba diving - Potential drowning, decompression sickness or malfunctioning equipment can make scuba diving a risky activity.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Now, the mechanical shark featured in the film is notorious for malfunctioning, which irked Spielberg to no end.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
A lot can go wrong with a sump pump, from electrical problems to clogs and malfunctioning switches.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Kansas City’s 311 website has a traffic signal section for reporting malfunctioning signal timing.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
In the film, directed by Mike Judge, Peter Gibbons (Livingston) and his coworkers, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), enjoy the last day at their job by taking out years of frustrations on their frequently malfunctioning office printer.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
To prevent damage, our body tries to eliminate malfunctioning T cells in a lymphoid organ in the chest, called the thymus, through a process known as central tolerance, according to The Associated Press.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
This disease results from missing or malfunctioning regulatory T cells.
—Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
This was after Milwaukee Tool received two reports of a malfunctioning chain brake—which is a critical chainsaw safety mechanism.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Scuba diving - Potential drowning, decompression sickness or malfunctioning equipment can make scuba diving a risky activity.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Now, the mechanical shark featured in the film is notorious for malfunctioning, which irked Spielberg to no end.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
A lot can go wrong with a sump pump, from electrical problems to clogs and malfunctioning switches.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Kansas City’s 311 website has a traffic signal section for reporting malfunctioning signal timing.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
In the film, directed by Mike Judge, Peter Gibbons (Livingston) and his coworkers, Michael Bolton (David Herman) and Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu), enjoy the last day at their job by taking out years of frustrations on their frequently malfunctioning office printer.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
To prevent damage, our body tries to eliminate malfunctioning T cells in a lymphoid organ in the chest, called the thymus, through a process known as central tolerance, according to The Associated Press.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
This disease results from missing or malfunctioning regulatory T cells.
—Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
So there was really no down points.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That’s good for a move of about 8% higher in an otherwise down market.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When a school receives five failing ratings, a 2015 Texas law requires the campus in question be closed or a state takeover of the entire district.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Howe made three changes at half-time — Ramsey for Gordon, Osula for Woltemade, Schar for Krafth — but if anything, Newcastle regressed, failing to manage a shot on target between the 39th and 89th minute.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 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
Verb
-
The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Nov. 2025
-
That plane, an Airbus A300-600F, was found to have descended at an unsafe altitude, crashing and killing both members on board.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
And then there’s the wreckage of a broken heart and being left to mend it in an era where technology has plunged dating into overdrive.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Her dad, Mark, 54, commented with praying, broken heart and crying emojis.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Internal displacement, malnutrition, and disease are widespread, with nearly 95 percent of the population forced from their homes and most health facilities damaged or nonfunctional.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
There was one nonfunctional small reach-in refrigerator next to the griddle.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 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
-
In addition to his treatment, Taylor has been focused on the mental health and community aspect of living with an inoperable tumor.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The manager of 29 years was adamant the diagnostic test couldn't have caused the car to become inoperable.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share