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
As the lights are replaced, photographers race to record
Across the country, photographers are rapturous over the mysterious purple glow being cast by the malfunctioning streetlights that began to crop up around 2021.
—
Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
In Ash, Flying Lotus’ moody and mellow sci-fi thriller, a woman wakes up to the low hum of a malfunctioning system.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 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
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
In Ash, Flying Lotus’ moody and mellow sci-fi thriller, a woman wakes up to the low hum of a malfunctioning system.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 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
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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