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
David also allegedly pulled a gun on his stepfather Charles O'Donnel and shot at him, but the gun malfunctioned, saving the man's life, Moran said in court in May 2025.
—
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
An early such prototype, worn by Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya at the 2015 Berlin Marathon, infamously malfunctioned during the race, costing him the world record.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Surprising to me, though perhaps not to neurologists, are friendships that have begun to malfunction due to apparent changes in the brain.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The thermostats that regulate your water heater's temperature can also malfunction.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
An early such prototype, worn by Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya at the 2015 Berlin Marathon, infamously malfunctioned during the race, costing him the world record.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Surprising to me, though perhaps not to neurologists, are friendships that have begun to malfunction due to apparent changes in the brain.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The thermostats that regulate your water heater's temperature can also malfunction.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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In early 2022, after the state failed to pass a ban on such care for minors, Paxton wrote a legal opinion declaring transition care for minors to be child abuse.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
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The city filed a lawsuit saying the federal government failed to perform required reviews of how the project would affect the health and safety of residents and the environment.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Four people were killed on May 14 when a medical transport airplane crashed in New Mexico and caused a fire, authorities said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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