dysfunctional

[ dis-fuhngk-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. not performing normally, as an organ or structure of the body; malfunctioning.
2. having a malfunctioning part or element:

   It is hard to get bills through a dysfunctional congress.

3. behaving or acting outside social norms:

   All the siblings in their extremely dysfunctional family lost contact as adults.

dysfunctional

/ dɪsˈfʌŋkʃənəl /

adjective

1. med (of an organ or part) not functioning normally
2. (esp of a family) characterized by a breakdown of normal or beneficial relationships between members of the group

Other Words From

• dys·function·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dysfunctional¹

First recorded in 1910–15; dysfunction ( def ) + -al ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Sqirl’s dysfunctional kitchen culture and food safety practices were exposed, as was the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen’s exploitation of chefs of color.

From Eater

The Texans have been dysfunctional since Watson arrived in 2017.

From Washington Post

These extreme cases may involve an overactive or dysfunctional response from the body’s immune system.

From Popular-Science

There is no advanced industrial democracy in the world more politically divided, or politically dysfunctional, than the United States today.

From Time

Since the tough-talking Fertitta bought the Rockets in 2017, the organization has transformed from a steady winner under former owner Leslie Alexander into a dysfunctional mess.

From Washington Post

These young adults have voluntarily checked out of a political system they consider corrupt and dysfunctional.

From The Daily Beast

This is a story that celebrates difference, as opposed to the story of a dysfunctional kid.

From The Daily Beast

The family was close, “in a crazy kind of dysfunctional way,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

Their interest, as ever, is in pushing the perception that Washington is dysfunctional.

From The Daily Beast

Still, he was locked into his rookie contract, and had to ride out two more dysfunctional seasons of the show.

From The Daily Beast

The West knew that these institutions were dysfunctional – but not to which breathtaking extent.

From Project Gutenberg

It is this unaccomplished, uneasy metamorphosis that tore the social fabric of CEE apart, rendering it poisoned and dysfunctional.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flawed