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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
Photos taken by the Associated Press on Sunday show broken windows and a damaged door at the front of the residence.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
-
In Okonkwo’s case, a broken wrist kept the former Arsenal ’keeper out for 11 league games.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
-
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
Adjective
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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
-
After a down season by his standards (career-low .788 OPS in 2024), Alonso’s entire game looks better in 2025.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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The Trojans are coming off a down year in the first season under head coach Eric Musselman.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The United Nations reports that more than 60 percent of homes have been destroyed and 95 percent of hospitals are nonfunctional.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
-
At least as of right now, the Audible app on her phone remains nonfunctional for reasons that are beyond me, but with luck—and a bit of ongoing care and maintenance for the server in the closet where this stuff all lives now—neither of us will ever have to deal with that app again.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At the same time, Israel has acted to render what is left of Assad’s navy inoperative.—
Bassem Eid,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2025
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Although there several election ballot scanners were inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania, no widespread voting problems had been reported by the late afternoon.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The experimental Type 092 is now inoperable and is replaced by its more advanced successor, the Type 094, the Federation of American Scientists wrote in a report in March.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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State investigators found numerous violations there, including a rat infestation, medications not being properly administered, inoperable emergency pull cords in some bedrooms and neglected residents.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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