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
The algorithm hadn’t malfunctioned.
—
François Candelon, Fortune, 12 June 2026
On opening day, the ride malfunctioned and left guests suspended for just under 10 minutes, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Once white culture begins insisting on its presence, something has malfunctioned.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Wallen made headlines over the weekend after footage of him shoving over a piano which had malfunctioned during his performance in Denver went viral on social media.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
And though rare, there have also been incidents where a storage tank has malfunctioned and thousands of eggs and embryos have been destroyed.
—Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 31 May 2026
The heavy-lift rocket was just cleared to fly by the Federal Aviation Administration last week after a different issue on its third flight, NG-3, in which the upper stage was not able to put its payload into the correct orbit after one of its two engines malfunctioned.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Eight students were rescued on May 28 after a roller coaster malfunctioned in Galveston, Texas, fire officials said.
—James Powel, USA Today, 29 May 2026
On April 20, during the New Glenn rocket’s third launch, the booster’s second stage malfunctioned and failed to deliver a commercial satellite into its intended orbit.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 May 2026
François Candelon, Fortune, 12 June 2026
On opening day, the ride malfunctioned and left guests suspended for just under 10 minutes, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Once white culture begins insisting on its presence, something has malfunctioned.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Wallen made headlines over the weekend after footage of him shoving over a piano which had malfunctioned during his performance in Denver went viral on social media.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
And though rare, there have also been incidents where a storage tank has malfunctioned and thousands of eggs and embryos have been destroyed.
—Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 31 May 2026
The heavy-lift rocket was just cleared to fly by the Federal Aviation Administration last week after a different issue on its third flight, NG-3, in which the upper stage was not able to put its payload into the correct orbit after one of its two engines malfunctioned.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Eight students were rescued on May 28 after a roller coaster malfunctioned in Galveston, Texas, fire officials said.
—James Powel, USA Today, 29 May 2026
On April 20, during the New Glenn rocket’s third launch, the booster’s second stage malfunctioned and failed to deliver a commercial satellite into its intended orbit.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioned
Verb
-
Two other ships owned by Lan, priced at about $175,000 each, have also failed to find buyers.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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Staff at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System recommended Tuesday that the board drop United Healthcare plans after negotiations with the insurer over next year’s premiums failed to yield lower rates.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Edwards Air Force Base officials said the plane that crashed Monday was conducting a routine test mission for its Radar Modernization Program.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
One man died after his vehicle crashed at Truman Road and Bennington Avenue, and investigators believe that man was shot by the same suspect, police said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioned. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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