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.
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
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She was discovered near a Dubai road with several injuries, including a broken spine and multiple broken limbs, per the outlet.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Some situations, like a loose or broken hose, can be fixed relatively easily by the average DIYer, but washing machines also have a series of internal hoses, seals, and fixtures that could need to be tightened, repaired, or replaced by an appliance repair professional.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
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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
-
The former actor played Dungeons and Dragons in his down time.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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Microsoft is on track for its eighth straight down week, down 13% in that timeframe.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
20 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
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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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Cars were found to be frozen and inoperable, and as of Wednesday, crews were working through the ice.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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NetBlocks, a company that tracks global internet censorship, said there was no indication that any internet service provider was blocking the app, and that its unavailability was purely through TikTok making the service inoperable for U.S. users.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC News,
19 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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