as in failed
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
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Recent Examples of malfunctioned
Some found out even earlier in the day after their smart mattress tech malfunctioned.
—
PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2025
The injury took place when an apparatus used by athletes to attach warmup bands to instruments malfunctioned, according to an ESPN report.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Moscow has denied the vessel had malfunctioned.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Physicians and engineers alike fretted about the high stakes if a system malfunctioned.
—Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
In his complaint, lodged in Alameda County Superior Court, Hinterdobler claimed that the same robot line had violently malfunctioned earlier this year.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Harrington's sump pump had malfunctioned, failing to push rising waters back outside.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Distribution lines in Altadena malfunctioned before a fire started on transmission lines near Eaton Canyon.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
During the chase, the man was seen pointing a firearm at the officer, but the weapon malfunctioned, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2025
The injury took place when an apparatus used by athletes to attach warmup bands to instruments malfunctioned, according to an ESPN report.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Moscow has denied the vessel had malfunctioned.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Physicians and engineers alike fretted about the high stakes if a system malfunctioned.
—Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
In his complaint, lodged in Alameda County Superior Court, Hinterdobler claimed that the same robot line had violently malfunctioned earlier this year.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Harrington's sump pump had malfunctioned, failing to push rising waters back outside.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Distribution lines in Altadena malfunctioned before a fire started on transmission lines near Eaton Canyon.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
During the chase, the man was seen pointing a firearm at the officer, but the weapon malfunctioned, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioned
Verb
-
The last time this happened in the Championship before this season was 2013-14, when Derby, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Wednesday and Yeovil Town all failed to win any of their first five home matches.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Russ Anderson also failed to challenge the bank’s incentive compensation program, failed to institute effective controls and repeatedly downplayed sales practices misconduct, Hsu previously said.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The campaign shared the tragic news on Thursday morning, revealing that Bailey's son Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and two of their three children, daughter Vada Rose, 12, and son Samuel, 7, died after their helicopter crashed in Montana.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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In the video, a male was seen running up the street and then through the yard with the suspect vehicle chasing him which suddenly crashed into two parked vehicles and then across a yard, striking a grill and a residence.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioned. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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