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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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
Talk on the internet veered toward some malfunctioning collars, but, overall, the look was sharp.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening or otherwise malfunctioning since 2018, Bloomberg found.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
But Cate’s powers have been malfunctioning and she’s been advised not to use them.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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
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
Talk on the internet veered toward some malfunctioning collars, but, overall, the look was sharp.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening or otherwise malfunctioning since 2018, Bloomberg found.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
But Cate’s powers have been malfunctioning and she’s been advised not to use them.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
Additionally, nearly nine in 10 singles said being handy is attractive and think leaving small DIY projects dangling or broken fixtures untreated is a turnoff.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Attempts are already underway to deny accountability and reassert the same broken playbook of impunity.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
They were also charged and arrested with crimes, from failing to do their duty to causing the conditions that led to the deaths of the men.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Some figures within the music industry have already spoken out about how AI giants are failing to compensate creators properly, with music legend Paul McCartney urging governments to legislate to ensure human musicians get their due.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Snag it with a down or polyester fill, which is suitable for those with allergies.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Coming off a down season, Scherzer could find some more success after getting into the Brewers organization.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Johnson led officers on a chase through city streets before crashing at Seventh and Barton streets, the release says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The problem increases the risk of drivers crashing into pedestrians, other vehicles and stationary objects, according to the recall noticed posted this week by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 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
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
-
For instance, Bates reportedly did not turn over all of the next messages sought by Reid’s attorneys, and surveillance footage from a camera a government witness said was inoperable was disclosed by the government just before the trial began, the station reported.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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For example, Hurricane Helene, which affected much of Western North Carolina almost exactly one year ago, resulted in more than 450 mail routes being inoperable due to the storm, according to a news release from USPS.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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