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
Following the band's cover shoot in New York, Crowe learned that his friend and collaborator Neal Preston’s flash had malfunctioned.
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Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Scuba diving - Potential drowning, decompression sickness or malfunctioning equipment can make scuba diving a risky activity.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Now, the mechanical shark featured in the film is notorious for malfunctioning, which irked Spielberg to no end.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite fire officials occasionally issuing landlords orders to comply, the same elevators continue to malfunction repeatedly, the newspaper found.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunction
Verb
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If the settlement failed to cover the amount owed, some funders went after the women for the remainder.—
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Owner Mark Davis has failed for years to find answers, and this time around, Tom Brady appears to be taking control of the rebuild.—
Verb
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The video ends with the sound of the SUV crashing into a parked car.—
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Her vehicle accelerated down the road, crashing into parked cars nearby.—
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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