MALFUNCTIONING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

malfunctioning 1 of 2

adjective

as in down

not being in working order a malfunctioning computer cost us days of work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

starting (up)

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 malfunctioning

Adjective

Homeowners reported a swift meeting at which officers discussed a reorganization of their specific duties and the hiring of an elevator expert to fix the chronically malfunctioning, overloaded elevators. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 Watching the first episode of Ultimate Girl’s Trip is like riding in a malfunctioning time machine. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Nuggets, wings, manchurian mix, lentils and chicken were stored above proper holding temperatures in a malfunctioning refrigerator unit. — Vince Basada august 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Edmiston arrived on a separate boat to help the group with the malfunctioning vessel, and denies having any role in Wells’ death, his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Oen Sujet’s catalog sounds equally like the product of a random number generator or a malfunctioning algorithm as of a deeply mercurial artist. — Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into the owner of a malfunctioning chemical storage tank in Garden Grove that has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as fire crews race to avoid an explosion. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 May 2026 Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem -- a malfunctioning space toilet. — Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026 Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem — a malfunctioning space toilet. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026

Verb

YouTube is filled with examples of drivers misusing such systems, particularly Tesla products, as well as videos of ADAS doing human-like moves but also malfunctioning and needing assistance. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 But reports suggest initial enrollment takes longer, and has been slowed down by malfunctioning equipment, technical bugs, insufficient personnel, and inconsistent implementation across crossings. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 Construction workers clung to a malfunctioning crane Friday as its arm collapsed onto the pool deck of a neighboring luxury high-rise in Miami, video shot by a bystander showed. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Park staff told inspectors that the water-recirculation equipment had recently been changed and that the pool filter was malfunctioning and leaking. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 Additionally, potatoes, chicken, tofu and fish were stored above proper temperatures in a malfunctioning walk-in refrigerator. — Vince Basada august 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Warning Signs of an Aging Refrigerator It’s easy to panic when a refrigerator starts malfunctioning. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026 The surging popularity of democratic socialism on the left wing of American politics reflects the same dynamic—an embrace of socialism in theory that is, in practice, a complaint about malfunctioning consumer capitalism. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 In Braham, located in a more rural area north of Minneapolis, public works personnel also discovered the problem Monday after noticing the well supplying the city's water tower was malfunctioning. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malfunctioning

Adjective

The Cowboys stuffed three rushing attempts before a fourth down sack from Isaiah Land.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
Backup quarterback Orion Olmstead failed to complete a pass and his fourth down run came up two yards short.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of down

Verb

The company has bucked the trend of failing casual dining restaurants.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Eight of the squad must have been registered in England or Wales for three full seasons before their 21st birthday, but Chelsea are not in danger of failing to meet that threshold.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of failing

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

Definition of nonfunctioning

Verb

That’s likely an attempt to minimize any concerns raised by the communities where the service is expanding, given these drones have already been scrutinized for crashing into cranes, internet cables, gardens, and an apartment building.

— Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2026
The helicopter lost its blades in the crash before crashing into the ground and rolling onto it side, Bivens said.

— Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of crashing

Adjective

An image from a National Transportation Safety Board report into an incident in which a passenger was nearly sucked out of a broken window of Ryanair Flight 1879 on July 10, 2026, just after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece.

— Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Staff in the South Stand offices would spend the winter months wearing jackets due to a broken boiler and, according to Bruce, only the players quickest to the dressing-room showers could expect to enjoy hot water after games.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of broken

Adjective

Peekachu, for example, has a nonfunctional right eye, while Secord enjoys moving enrichment items around the habitat with her mouth.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
In most populations around the world, many of these genes have accumulated mutations over time that have left about 60 percent of them nonfunctional.

— Willow Zhang, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonfunctional

Adjective

If the main engines were to become inoperative, six smaller orbit-control thrusters can still be activated on the lunar surface, providing an alternative pathway for a rapid ascent.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
And there’s been plenty of media focus since then — including on inoperative toilets.

— Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of inoperative

Adjective

Additionally, the software issue could cause the signal lamps, hazard lamp function and certain warning buzzers to become inoperable.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Laptops, Phones, and Other Electronics The internal parts of electronics could be at risk of permanently overheating, rendering the device inoperable or beyond repair when left in a hot car, according to Van Tassell.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of inoperable

Browse Nearby Words

malfunctioned

malfunctioning

malfunctions

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Style

“Malfunctioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunctioning. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of malfunctioning

adjective

verb

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