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.
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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
-
Several broken waste bins were not fixed in a timely manner.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
Marshmallows are for team players, but Severance is for everyone who’s ever felt the ache of a broken heart.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 June 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
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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
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The 30-year-old is coming off a down year in 2024, totaling 496 yards and two touchdowns in 10 appearances.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
Through Friday, the stock had dropped 14% in 2025, on pace for its fifth down year in a row.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
23 June 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
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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
-
Each sensor is divided into 16 segments, and a few isolated segments are nonfunctional.—
Jonathan Corum,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
More than 15 drainage basins in Miami-Dade alone are expected to be essentially nonfunctional with as little as two feet of sea rise.—
Alex Harris,
Sun Sentinel,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2024
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Additionally, there was no regulation preventing landings at Congonhas with an inoperative thrust reverser—even on rainy days. CENIPA, as a preventive agency, did not name those responsible.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
An inoperable mass in her brain—she’d survived six months.—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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But if an inspector visits an inoperable charger, Wilkinson said her agency would take action, notifying the operator and requiring fixes.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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The price signals are useless because the government prohibited them from being useful.—
The Editors,
National Review,
30 June 2025
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The devices must also give consumers the option of deactivating such features, unless that action would render the device useless.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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