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Showing results for malfunction. Search instead for zahlfunktion.
Definitions

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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The trouble isn’t that every digital convenience is destined to malfunction.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

When these structures malfunction, they can contribute to several diseases, many of them rare.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

After a delay for a PitchCom malfunction, Skubal gave up a leadoff double to Detroit’s Gleyber Torres on a fastball down the middle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

Not only that, the cartographic malfunction included completely unrecognisable shapes of the six misidentified countries.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 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

In the movie, Bolleau played the teen daughter of two scientists who build a time machine that malfunctions, forcing the kids to take care of their parents as they “de-age” and become children.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 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

Strong solar storms however bring more than just stunning light displays -- they can also disrupt communication systems and cause satellite malfunctions and power grid overloads.

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025

Unlike early Soviet space capsules, which were automated, American spacecraft required experienced pilots at the controls in case of malfunctions.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

An air valve had malfunctioned, according to the complaint, but Kettle refused to approve a fix afterwards because it would have led to train delays at Union Station.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

The US military said one of its underwater drones "malfunctioned" and was not carrying any sensitive data.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

German officials said Berlin had calibrated its response to the Leipzig incident in part to reflect the fact that the drones had malfunctioned and caused no damage or victims.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 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

When the equipment abruptly malfunctioned, Jim went on alone, hitting a few sour notes.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

The achievement could eventually help researchers develop new approaches to treating diseases caused by malfunctioning mitochondria.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

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

But she says she has never handled so many iPhones with fried motherboards and malfunctioning touch screens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

At first, it scared me, but now I realize that half the time, when the alarms go off, it’s the machines that are malfunctioning, not the people.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman


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