as in down
not being in working order
a malfunctioning computer cost us days of work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of malfunctioning
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.
—
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
The handwash sink next to the restrooms and kitchen had a malfunctioning soap dispenser.
—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
There's also the scenario where the user experience just isn't great, whether that's subpar customer service or a malfunctioning app.
—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 sanitation workers went on strike after two workers were crushed by a malfunctioning garbage truck — a tragic incident in a history of city neglect of Black workers.
—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Elk Creek Fire An initial investigation into the fire indicates it was caused in part by a malfunctioning gas generator and also high winds.
—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
26 June 2026
The world model is currently adopted by Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo to test autonomous vehicles in scenarios from natural disasters to rare events like a malfunctioning truck blocking the road.
—
Zinnia Lee,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Catherine Lane/Getty Images Few household problems create more frustrations or more sticker shock than a malfunctioning air conditioner.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
On a drizzly Saturday morning late last month, the basement of the New Paltz United Methodist Church filled with old lamps, blunt knives, malfunctioning sound mixers and balky zippers.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Last week, Wallen earned plenty of attention after flipping over a malfunctioning piano.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
Iran claimed on Thursday that damage to Kuwait’s airport was caused by a malfunctioning US Patriot missile, contradicting Kuwait’s assertion that an Iranian drone struck the facility a day earlier.
—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
The filings came after a malfunctioning storage tank containing volatile, flammable methyl methacrylate prompted evacuation orders across parts of Garden Grove and nearby cities amid fears of a catastrophic explosion.
—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
The company thought the device was malfunctioning and sent him a replacement.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Adjective
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion.
—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet.
—
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
The handwash sink next to the restrooms and kitchen had a malfunctioning soap dispenser.
—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Often, the easiest solution to fix a malfunctioning attack is to change the striker.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
There's also the scenario where the user experience just isn't great, whether that's subpar customer service or a malfunctioning app.
—
Andreina Rodriguez,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 sanitation workers went on strike after two workers were crushed by a malfunctioning garbage truck — a tragic incident in a history of city neglect of Black workers.
—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Elk Creek Fire An initial investigation into the fire indicates it was caused in part by a malfunctioning gas generator and also high winds.
—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
Others feature malfunctioning elevators, parades of rats or still use air circulation systems from World War II.
—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
26 June 2026
The world model is currently adopted by Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo to test autonomous vehicles in scenarios from natural disasters to rare events like a malfunctioning truck blocking the road.
—
Zinnia Lee,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Catherine Lane/Getty Images Few household problems create more frustrations or more sticker shock than a malfunctioning air conditioner.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
On a drizzly Saturday morning late last month, the basement of the New Paltz United Methodist Church filled with old lamps, blunt knives, malfunctioning sound mixers and balky zippers.
—
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Last week, Wallen earned plenty of attention after flipping over a malfunctioning piano.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
Iran claimed on Thursday that damage to Kuwait’s airport was caused by a malfunctioning US Patriot missile, contradicting Kuwait’s assertion that an Iranian drone struck the facility a day earlier.
—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
The filings came after a malfunctioning storage tank containing volatile, flammable methyl methacrylate prompted evacuation orders across parts of Garden Grove and nearby cities amid fears of a catastrophic explosion.
—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
The company thought the device was malfunctioning and sent him a replacement.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
If Rice and new running back Kenneth Walker can serve as the team’s early down answers that keep defenses honest, that should open up opportunity for Mahomes to finally see some open looks downfield again.
-
While last year was a down year compared to the year before, Ovechkin still appeared in all 82 games and potted 64 points, with 32 goals and 32 assists.
Verb
-
The Athletics beat the Dodgers 7-1 on Wednesday night, giving the West Sacramento team its only win of the series with the Dodgers, winners of the past two World Series, failing to secure a three-game sweep.
-
Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
Adjective
-
Drivers say their contract issues center on pay as well as safety issues, including nonfunctioning heaters, loudspeakers and windshield wipers.
-
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.
Verb
-
They were taken into custody after crashing into a police squad car.
-
More than 40,000 Colombian fans were expected at the match and this time, nobody was crashing through the gates without tickets, as thousands did for the 2024 Copa America final against Argentina.
Adjective
-
Bowser, who declined to be interviewed for this article, urged the administration to clean up federal parks and fix broken fountains, while pushing back on measures like having police ask for people’s immigration status.
-
Stopped wearing your favorite pumps because of a broken heel?
Adjective
-
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said drivers should treat intersections with nonfunctional traffic signals as a four-way stop.
-
Critics alleged inhumane conditions, including poor food, nonfunctional toilets and a lack of access to attorneys.
Adjective
-
If the main engines were to become inoperative, six smaller orbit-control thrusters can still be activated on the lunar surface, providing an alternative pathway for a rapid ascent.
-
And there’s been plenty of media focus since then — including on inoperative toilets.
Adjective
-
There’s also a physical threshold above which runways themselves become inoperable.
-
The lawsuit points to a May 6 mayoral debate where Bass was asked about cuts to the LAFD's operational budget, which left fire engines inoperable.
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
