malfunctioning 1 of 2

malfunctioning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of malfunction
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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of malfunctioning
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
  • McGregor was set to fight UFC lightweight Michael Chandler in 2024 but was forced out of completion due to a broken toe.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Garnish the top with broken pieces of graham crackers for a bit of crunch.
    Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • 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
  • December also was atypically a down month for the market.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
  • In down markets, the best opportunities often hide in plain sight.
    Cody Bjugan, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • When heading out to look for lamps, take a lightbulb along to test them in-store, but also consider rewiring nonfunctional pieces.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Space junk consists of nonfunctional satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments resulting from satellite collisions and explosions.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • In wartime, however, the calculus changes, because most of the costs are inoperative.
    William C. Wohlforth, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
Adjective
  • The incident left the train inoperable, though none of the 47 passengers on board were injured, KIRO reported.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Israel’s bombardment of the region has since rendered two thirds of its hospitals inoperable and driven almost two million Palestinians from their homes.
    Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near malfunctioning

Cite this Entry

“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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