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
Is his chip malfunctioning in some way, making his innie and outie memories mix?
—
Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
That generous revenue stream, a remnant of the days when RSNs threw off cash like so many malfunctioning ATMs, will be tough to replicate under the new patchwork structure.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
When parts of it are malfunctioning, burned or broken, the water system is vulnerable to contamination.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025
The barriers, which at times malfunctioned, had been in use for several years and were removed for replacement ahead of the city’s hosting of the Super Bowl in February.
—Daniella Silva, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for malfunction 
Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
That generous revenue stream, a remnant of the days when RSNs threw off cash like so many malfunctioning ATMs, will be tough to replicate under the new patchwork structure.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
When parts of it are malfunctioning, burned or broken, the water system is vulnerable to contamination.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025
The barriers, which at times malfunctioned, had been in use for several years and were removed for replacement ahead of the city’s hosting of the Super Bowl in February.
—Daniella Silva, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for malfunction
Thesaurus Entries Near malfunction
Cite this Entry
“Malfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malfunction. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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