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malfunction

[mal-fuhngk-shuhn] / mælˈfʌŋk ʃən /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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When gene activation goes wrong, cells can malfunction and contribute to diseases, including cancer.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026

We’ve had water treatment failures, chemical imbalances brought on by malfunction, E. coli contamination, and the people of Flint, Michigan, of course, appreciate the criticality of clean water better than anyone in the country.

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

Those and other personal devices have lithium-ion batteries, which are prone to bursting into flames when they malfunction or overheat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

Earlier this year, Baidu's Apollo Go service suffered a software malfunction that left about 100 robotaxis stranded in Wuhan.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

So there they are, three classic preconditions of a plane crash, the same three that set the stage for Avianca 052: a minor technical malfunction; bad weather; and a tired pilot.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

There were 15 reported firework-related deaths nationwide in 2025, with most involving misuse and device misfire or malfunctions, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

In a tongue-in-cheek post to Instagram, Glass Animals - best known for their 2020 sleeper-hit Heat Waves - claimed culpability for the lunar lavatory malfunctions.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

Apple’s successes are famous, but Mr. Pogue doesn’t steer away from discussing the dead-end products and corporate malfunctions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

Satellites passing through this region are exposed to elevated levels of radiation, increasing the risk of technical malfunctions, hardware damage, and even temporary outages.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 25, 2026

“Whenever an engine malfunctions, I like to tap-dance around it. Works every time.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The transmission malfunctioned in his 1978 boat, Miss Julie, which he also uses for crabbing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Roa later told authorities that he had planned to attend the UFC event only as a protester, but his vehicle malfunctioned and he had to return home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

One of Starship's engines also malfunctioned, which forced a slightly longer burn from the remaining five to compensate.

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

The vehicle had coasted through space but was not in exactly the correct orbit after one of its engines malfunctioned during an initial burn.

From Barron's ● May 22, 2026

What if the toilet she was using malfunctioned, or got clogged?

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

The story, as it were, centers on a woman named Lisa Blupey, portrayed by stage veteran Jessica Vosk, who runs a small business selling socks but is drowning in financial statements and malfunctioning A.I.-powered platforms.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

It started appearing in my parents’ pantry in Costco two-packs, usually beside gigantic cases of bottled water, enough paper towels to absorb a malfunctioning sprinkler system and gallon-sized jugs of olive oil.

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026

You end up with a faulty port, malfunctioning screen or a bad battery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

For example, the tube-bunker was initially envisioned as a “completely dark space” twinkling with a variety of malfunctioning countdown clocks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

“She helped me figure out a malfunctioning sprinkler system last fall. Then I helped her change a lightbulb she couldn’t reach.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison




Vocabulary lists containing malfunction


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