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
-
Hurt In Minors, In Hall Of Fame A broken arm at age 19 while diving for a flyball in the minors turned a promising pitcher into a full-time outfielder who hit his way into the Baseball Hall of Fame.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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The most poignant of those messages came from safety Josh Metellus, who posted a broken heart emoji that indicated the Vikings were moving on from his best friend.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
10 Mar. 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
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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
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There is a lot to prove for Cozens, who many believe still has an upside worth tapping into despite back-to-back down seasons in Buffalo.—
Julian McKenzie,
The Athletic,
9 Mar. 2025
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But now would be the time to test his commitment to Pettersson in what has been a down season for him: 12 goals and 24 assists through 56 games.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Lawmakers last year banned the installation of nonfunctional turf, invasive plants and artificial turf on most commercial, industrial and state government property.—
Elise Schmelzer,
The Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Trump curbed the options available to foreigners planning to enter the U.S. by making the CBP One app nonfunctional on Inauguration Day.—
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton,
The Denver Post,
30 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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Serving many different customers The advantages of such a platform include superior image quality, less congested orbits, and natural debris removal as inoperable satellites are pulled down into Earth's atmosphere and burnt up.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
3 Mar. 2025
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Four refrigeration units were inoperable at the time of the inspection.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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