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
Smith later said that his left mirror malfunctioned and thus didn’t see Haley and ultimately took the blame for the wreck.
—
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2025
The thermal camera quickly reveals malfunctioning capacitors that are running hot.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
Changing these interactions can lead to different chemical reactions and malfunctioning cells in our bodies.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
In ’04, Janet Jackson’s malfunctioning wardrobe led to a run of safer, older acts such as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.
—Bloomberg News, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2025
The thermal camera quickly reveals malfunctioning capacitors that are running hot.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
Changing these interactions can lead to different chemical reactions and malfunctioning cells in our bodies.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
In ’04, Janet Jackson’s malfunctioning wardrobe led to a run of safer, older acts such as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.
—Bloomberg News, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 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 16 Mar. 2025.
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