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

She’d like to see Trump straighten out the country’s dysfunctional immigration system.

From Los Angeles Times

And “butterflies” mean you’re destined to repeat the dysfunctional patterns of your relationship with your parent with your new lover— a fast track to heartbreak.

From Los Angeles Times

The players didn’t mesh on the field, the front office was dysfunctional and the team’s most loyal fans had begun to boycott home games.

From Los Angeles Times

Though psychiatrists described his upbringing as dysfunctional, Mr. Arbo defended his family as loving.

From New York Times

Yet just a season ago the Galaxy’s main supporters’ groups were boycotting home games, angry over the team’s lack of direction and its dysfunctional front office.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flawed