as in failed
to fail to function or work properly
A software problem is causing the system to malfunction.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example 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 malfunctioned
The Wild Twister previously malfunctioned another time in March 2021, leaving 14 riders stranded for six minutes, The Standard Hong Kong reported.
—
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Two theme parkgoers were trapped more than 100 feet in the air for more than 30 minutes this week after a roller coaster in Texas malfunctioned.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The plane’s landing gear malfunctioned, according to a team spokesperson.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The most significant fire was on Wednesday when an investigator said a generator being used at a home on Pleasant Park Road in Conifer malfunctioned.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Strobe lighting inside the arena used for pre-game introductions malfunctioned badly, staying on and flickering, causing a glare on the court.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Dec. 2025
Xcel Energy sought to keep the unit running after coal unit Comanche 3, the utility’s largest power generating source, malfunctioned in August.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025
What was meant to be a short stay in space for US astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore stretched into a more than nine-month mission, after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that was supposed to ferry them home malfunctioned.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
According to the release, Nunn collided with the rock wall on El Capitan after his equipment malfunctioned.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioned
Verb
-
The French Revolution began in 1789, and tensions peaked with King Louis and Marie Antoinette’s failed escape attempt in 1791, which ultimately led to their execution in 1793.—
-
The Brown University shooting should be a wakeup call to college trustees and administrators, especially now that the US Department of Education will send a team of investigators to determine whether Brown failed to provide proper security before and after the shooting.—
Verb
-
The Toyota crashed, and the Charger sped away, according to court records.—
-
The masked agent can be seen on video going to the scene where Good's car crashed into another, then walking away, getting into an SUV and leaving the area.—
Cite this Entry
“Malfunctioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioned. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share