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.
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Dissimilar Words
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
-
Return Strong said the prison offered months of delay for one individual with a broken wrist and finger, limited mental health care, mold covering the shower walls, restricted visitation, took away access to fruit and stuck prisoners with years of solitary confinement.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
19 July 2025
-
The vehicle was still in drive, and had front-end impact damage and a broken driver’s side window and was missing a piece of its roof.—
Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
After a solid 2023 where former world champion Fernando Alonso captured multiple podium finishes, 2024 was a down year ,and 2025 has been ever worse, leaving Aston Martin ranked near the bottom of the Constructor’s Standings.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 July 2025
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Despite the down year, the Cowboys felt confident enough to make an investment in Ferguson.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 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
-
Grok remains nonfunctional on X, where it was disabled on Tuesday afternoon following a slew of offensive and abusive posts, including some that mentioned CEO Linda Yaccarino, who resigned the following day without giving a specific reason.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
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By comparison, Europe exported 400,000 metric tons of nonfunctional e-waste and 900,000 metric tons of used but functioning equipment.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Sep. 2015
Adjective
-
Also inoperative the morning of the crash were the runway alignment indicator lights, which had not worked for more than three years.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
-
Several election ballot scanners are currently inoperative at multiple polling locations in Cambria County in Pennsylvania.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Additionally, two laboratory machines were inoperable for four days in February due to a lack of reagents, which are substances used to carry out tests, because the hospital had not paid the supplier.—
Scott Schwebke,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
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Though an initial damage analysis expressed skepticism, a consensus emerged that Iran’s enrichment and weaponization infrastructure, including centrifuges and uranium metalworking equipment, was destroyed or rendered inoperable.—
Nabih Bulos
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Fertilizing before heavy rain is useless at best and harmful at worst.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 July 2025
-
Followers are useless, but engaged customers and a devoted tribe of community members are priceless.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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