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
Once inside, Hawkins allegedly pointed a gun at a female student and yelled for people to get on the ground before pulling the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned and did not fire, according to the affidavit.
—
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
But last month, the company said the malfunctioning Starlink satellite posed no threat to the International Space Station and other space missions in the area.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Our one qualm is that during testing, the cases sustained dents, and the zipper malfunctioned.
—Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
But the system started showing signs of trouble shortly into the flight and eventually malfunctioned as flight Day 3 was winding down.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
But last month, the company said the malfunctioning Starlink satellite posed no threat to the International Space Station and other space missions in the area.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
Our one qualm is that during testing, the cases sustained dents, and the zipper malfunctioned.
—Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
But the system started showing signs of trouble shortly into the flight and eventually malfunctioned as flight Day 3 was winding down.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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If Campbell fails, then speculation can fairly begin.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just to recap, Dach had the puck in overtime in the neutral zone but failed to gain the red line before flipping the puck down the ice to get a change, being forced to stay on the ice when that puck crossed the Lightning goal line for an icing.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The characters can be flawed, and cars can crash, McDermott says, but NASCAR wanted race scenes to look authentic and was adamant that the series not depict anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
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Zevik Glidai, a 78-year-old math teacher and volunteer ambulance driver, discovered coils of the translucent fiber-optic cables surrounding a drone that crashed into his backyard in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona on April 13.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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