dysfunction
noun
dys·func·tion
(ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən 
variants
or less commonly disfunction
1
: impaired or abnormal functioning
gastrointestinal dysfunction
2
: abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group
family dysfunction
Examples of dysfunction in a Sentence
The disease causes gastrointestinal dysfunctions.
Recent Examples on the Web
The dysfunction in Washington makes such innovation difficult at the federal level, but states have been trying variants.
—
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 20 Apr. 2024
Closed since 1992, fenced off and slathered in graffiti, the Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe Miami Marine Stadium has been a victim, critics contend, of apathy and dysfunction by the city’s managers and commissioners.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2024
Fluoride opponents claim the mineral is responsible for everything from acne to high blood pressure and thyroid dysfunction to bone cancer.
—Melba Newsome, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Frequent travelers with Eustachian tube dysfunction might want to consider having pressure equalization tubes implants in their ears.
—Blane Bachelor, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
The use of short-term stopgap funding bills to kick shutdown deadlines down the road, often repeatedly, has in fact become a routine part of how Congress functions (or dysfunctions, depending on your point of view).
—Tia Yang, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
If the United States and the CARICOM do not get this next chapter right—and stand by leaders who are credible, are legitimate, and have the bureaucratic experience to put the Haitian state back on track—the cycle of violence and dysfunction will not end.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
Replace Battery Another possible reason for a slow phone is a battery overused to the point of dysfunction.
—Dua Rashid / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024
The dysfunction while Republicans scrambled to elect a new speaker revealed the deep fractures that run through the House GOP conference.
—Kevin McCarthy, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 20 Apr. 2024
Closed since 1992, fenced off and slathered in graffiti, the Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe Miami Marine Stadium has been a victim, critics contend, of apathy and dysfunction by the city’s managers and commissioners.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2024
Fluoride opponents claim the mineral is responsible for everything from acne to high blood pressure and thyroid dysfunction to bone cancer.
—Melba Newsome, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Frequent travelers with Eustachian tube dysfunction might want to consider having pressure equalization tubes implants in their ears.
—Blane Bachelor, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
The use of short-term stopgap funding bills to kick shutdown deadlines down the road, often repeatedly, has in fact become a routine part of how Congress functions (or dysfunctions, depending on your point of view).
—Tia Yang, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024
If the United States and the CARICOM do not get this next chapter right—and stand by leaders who are credible, are legitimate, and have the bureaucratic experience to put the Haitian state back on track—the cycle of violence and dysfunction will not end.
—Pierre Esperance, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2024
Replace Battery Another possible reason for a slow phone is a battery overused to the point of dysfunction.
—Dua Rashid / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024
The dysfunction while Republicans scrambled to elect a new speaker revealed the deep fractures that run through the House GOP conference.
—Kevin McCarthy, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dysfunction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Dysfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dysfunction. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dysfunction
noun
dys·func·tion
dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən
: impaired or abnormal functioning
liver dysfunction
Medical Definition
dysfunction
noun
dys·func·tion
variants
also disfunction
: impaired or abnormal functioning (as of an organ of the body) see minimal brain dysfunction
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