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.

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

The Russian pilot fired two missiles, the first of which missed rather than malfunctioned as claimed at the time.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

But as the commander of Apollo 13 famously said when his spacecraft malfunctioned on the way to the Moon: "Houston, we've had a problem..."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

It was like something inside of him had malfunctioned, and he was going to keep rambling until his batteries died.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson