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
Both types of ovens could also be malfunctioning as the result of a faulty thermostat, which tells the oven when and when not to run a heating cycle in order to maintain the preset temperature.
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Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
According to an internal investigation report obtained by the Smoking Gun on Friday, 28-year-old Lake County Deputy Sheriff Tristan Macomber rear-ended a 63-year-old woman’s Toyota Corolla, then claimed his brakes malfunctioned.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
The moment was particularly unfortunate as the audio malfunctioned as the clip was introducing festival founder Robert Redford.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
The pilot ultimately concluded that the indicator light was malfunctioning, a common issue on older aircraft models like the Boeing 757.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025
According to an internal investigation report obtained by the Smoking Gun on Friday, 28-year-old Lake County Deputy Sheriff Tristan Macomber rear-ended a 63-year-old woman’s Toyota Corolla, then claimed his brakes malfunctioned.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
The moment was particularly unfortunate as the audio malfunctioned as the clip was introducing festival founder Robert Redford.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
The pilot ultimately concluded that the indicator light was malfunctioning, a common issue on older aircraft models like the Boeing 757.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 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 3 Mar. 2025.
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