as in broken
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malfunctioning
Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Besides a few minor setbacks like an internet slowdown and reports of malfunctioning clocks, the aggressive planning and recalibration paid off.
—Jack Mitchell, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
But the weapon is malfunctioning and still a threat, so Shadow and Ivo team up to save the Earth from the subsequent explosion.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
This can lead to them malfunctioning or even breaking entirely.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
These have included a US airforce Boeing plane falling apart mid-flight, a door flying off an Alaska Airlines passenger plane, and two astronauts becoming stranded in space due to a malfunctioning Starliner aircraft.
—Michael D. Carroll and Sophie Clark, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The City of Malibu warned residents to prepare for potential wildfires, power outages, hazardous roads and malfunctioning traffic signals.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the malfunctioning original Alice tracks down Nick at a bar.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
If the sleigh is malfunctioning, or a part is predicted to fail, those elves will spring into action.
—Richard Howells, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
The song also provided something to fill dead space if Perry’s mic went out during shows or when the crew needed time to fix malfunctioning equipment.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Besides a few minor setbacks like an internet slowdown and reports of malfunctioning clocks, the aggressive planning and recalibration paid off.
—Jack Mitchell, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024
But the weapon is malfunctioning and still a threat, so Shadow and Ivo team up to save the Earth from the subsequent explosion.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
This can lead to them malfunctioning or even breaking entirely.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
These have included a US airforce Boeing plane falling apart mid-flight, a door flying off an Alaska Airlines passenger plane, and two astronauts becoming stranded in space due to a malfunctioning Starliner aircraft.
—Michael D. Carroll and Sophie Clark, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The City of Malibu warned residents to prepare for potential wildfires, power outages, hazardous roads and malfunctioning traffic signals.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the malfunctioning original Alice tracks down Nick at a bar.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
If the sleigh is malfunctioning, or a part is predicted to fail, those elves will spring into action.
—Richard Howells, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning
Adjective
-
Yet even a broken clock can be right twice a day, and senators should keep in mind that, on balance, these are not serious people.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2025
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Further tour cancellations followed a back injury in 2013 and a broken hip and subsequent infection in 2014.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Given the constant demands by wind, solar, and EV company executives for more and more government subsidies to sustain their failing business models, this reality could become disastrous for those rent-seeking industries in the coming years as the era of crony capitalism comes to a close.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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But failing to advance beyond the wild-card round (not to mention losing in infamous or controversial fashion) isn’t what fans had in mind when the front office spoke about building a sustainable contender years ago.—
Kaitlyn McGrath,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
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
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The first came on an 11-play, 70-yard drive featuring a good mix of run and pass plays, including a huge fourth down conversion from Mahomes early in the drive.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
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At the horn, Andrew Wiggins drained a step-back 3 over James to enter the fourth down six.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Existing downloads are not likely to be removed — at least initially — on U.S. devices, which could lead to the app becoming buggy and eventually nonfunctional, cyber experts told The Hill.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
17 Jan. 2025
-
When heading out to look for lamps, take a lightbulb along to test them in-store, but also consider rewiring nonfunctional pieces.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps most notably, both sides deploy decoy vehicles—either inoperative derelicts or inflatable fakes—to draw enemy fire away from real vehicles.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
31 Oct. 2024
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In wartime, however, the calculus changes, because most of the costs are inoperative.—
William C. Wohlforth,
Foreign Affairs,
22 June 2021
Adjective
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All told, those properties were issued roughly 50 violations, according to city records, for violations including overgrowth, junk and inoperable cars parked on the properties.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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The study at six hospitals across Japan is designed to give hope to patients, their families and healthcare professionals, and will follow the survival outcomes of 90 patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer, with 30 undergoing chemotherapy alone and 60 undergoing chemotherapy and HIFU therapy.—
Forbes,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near malfunctioning
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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