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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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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
Matthew Chin, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
To do so, Reddick had to overcome a malfunctioning battery and a large deficit in the final 50 laps.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
The decent from 33,000 feet would have been trickier, especially with malfunctioning instruments.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
An Ohio Ford employee is dead after being trapped and crushed by a malfunctioning industrial machine at a company plant this week.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
The receiver is not malfunctioning; it has simply been tricked.
—Anna Raymaker, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
Critics of the chronically malfunctioning Comanche 3 called for closing it rather than spending money to fix a plant that’s expected to close at the end of 2030.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
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
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
Interference has caused aircraft to appear having traveled in erratic, wave-like patterns; on land, malfunctioning GPS systems have also caused food delivery riders to appear off the coast of Dubai.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
To do so, Reddick had to overcome a malfunctioning battery and a large deficit in the final 50 laps.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
The decent from 33,000 feet would have been trickier, especially with malfunctioning instruments.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
An Ohio Ford employee is dead after being trapped and crushed by a malfunctioning industrial machine at a company plant this week.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
The receiver is not malfunctioning; it has simply been tricked.
—Anna Raymaker, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
Critics of the chronically malfunctioning Comanche 3 called for closing it rather than spending money to fix a plant that’s expected to close at the end of 2030.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
Borrowers pay interest on both the primary mortgage and the down-payment loan rather than making a cash down payment.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Bulldogs had a down year in 2024 with a 2-12 district record but got back to their winning ways this season with a 9-3 district performance.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lawsuits also accuse the manufacturers of failing to warn parents of the risk.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Richardson has prior arrests and convictions in Alabama for domestic violence, disorderly conduct and failing to appear in court dating back to March 2011, Manley said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 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
-
Rendered incapable of future flight after crashing in January 2024 and damaging its rotor blade, the 4-pound Ingenuity performed 72 flights for nearly three years at Mars.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
One person was shot in a rolling shooting Sunday evening in Overland Park that ended with one of the vehicles involved crashing at a Prairie Village park, a police spokesman said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Homecoming for Pope Jordan Pope scored 12 points in 33 minutes for Texas playing in his native Bay Area, coming back after suffering a broken foot late in a second-round win over Gonzaga.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Gertie’s broken tail was a desperate and heartbreaking sign of her relief and gratitude, the news release stated.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 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
-
Unfortunately for tourists looking for a place to go, the one that showed up Monday morning on the promenade in front of the Lincoln Memorial is inoperable.—
Joe Heim,
Washington Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The small park's inoperable decorative fountain will be replaced by a paved space, better suited for hosting events; its perimeter will be more defined, including with seat walls; and its green space and trees will be maintained.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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