as in to fail
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
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Recent Examples of malfunction
The Latest Setbacks: Two Explosions in Two Months The March test, initially showing promise with a successful Super Heavy booster landing, ended catastrophically when several Raptor engines on the upper stage malfunctioned.
—
Luis E. Romero, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Join 5 others in the comments View Comments Rocket safety systems typically include software designed to blow up a malfunctioning vehicle to prevent large, damaging pieces of debris from reaching the ground.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
As the lights are replaced, photographers race to record
Across the country, photographers are rapturous over the mysterious purple glow being cast by the malfunctioning streetlights that began to crop up around 2021.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
In Ash, Flying Lotus’ moody and mellow sci-fi thriller, a woman wakes up to the low hum of a malfunctioning system.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Luis E. Romero, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Join 5 others in the comments View Comments Rocket safety systems typically include software designed to blow up a malfunctioning vehicle to prevent large, damaging pieces of debris from reaching the ground.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
As the lights are replaced, photographers race to record
Across the country, photographers are rapturous over the mysterious purple glow being cast by the malfunctioning streetlights that began to crop up around 2021.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
In Ash, Flying Lotus’ moody and mellow sci-fi thriller, a woman wakes up to the low hum of a malfunctioning system.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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