malfunctioning
Not working right
Malfunctioning describes something that is failing to work correctly or as intended.
The term applies to machines, devices, systems, or body parts that should operate in a predictable way but aren't: The malfunctioning elevator trapped us between floors.
Unlike broken, which suggests complete failure, malfunctioning implies partial or intermittent problems—the thing still operates, just not properly.
As a verb form, it can also describe the ongoing process of failing: The sensor has been malfunctioning since Tuesday.
Minor system fault
- crashSudden violent impact
- failureLack of success
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
bug · short-circuit · overheat · misfire · jam · fritz · corrupt · misbehave
Having defects or errors
- flawedHaving faults or imperfections
- defectiveHaving inherent faults
- damagedMade worse by injury
- brokenDamaged beyond function
imperfect · substandard · compromised · degraded · unsound · out-of-order · kaput · busted
Fault in communication
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- irregularityDeparture from standard
- disturbanceDisruption of order
interruption · hiccup · snag · complication · fault · problem · issue · trouble
Prone to malfunctions
- buggyHorse-drawn cart
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
unreliable · sporadic · intermittent · erratic · flaky · unstable · finicky · wonky
glitch
Minor system fault
stall · bug · short-circuit · overheat · misfire · jam · fritz · corrupt · misbehave · sputter
faulty
Having defects or errors
broken · imperfect · substandard · compromised · degraded · unsound · out-of-order · kaput · busted · inoperative
error
Fault in communication
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- irregularityDeparture from standard
disturbance · interruption · hiccup · snag · complication · fault · problem · issue · trouble · difficulty
glitchy
Prone to malfunctions
- buggyHorse-drawn cart
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
inconsistent · unreliable · sporadic · intermittent · erratic · flaky · unstable · finicky · wonky · quirky
- damageddamaged, broken, wrecked, ruined, destroyed
- brokenbroken, busted, broken down, out of order, not working
- broken-downbroken-down, busted, kaput, out of order, inoperative
- nonfunctionalbroken, inoperative, out of order, defunct, faulty
- out-of-servicebroken, down, offline, unavailable, disabled
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
malfunctioningfunctioning
Working as intended
working · operating · operational · running · functional
function, functional, functioning, malfunction, functioned, functionary, functionality, dysfunctional, functionally