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
Pelvic floor dysfunction is common in pregnancy and childbirth.
—
Anna Halkidis, Parents, 12 July 2024
The cause of Priem’s death, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, was sudden cardiac dysfunction related to a heart condition that can impair the organ’s ability to pump blood.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024
After years of dysfunction, the state's cannabis agency is at risk of heading into receivership, at least if Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro gets his way.
—Steph Solis, Axios, 9 July 2024
Those might seem like anodyne promises, but they were well received by an electorate exhausted by 14 years of Tory drama and dysfunction, which delivered Brexit and (not coincidentally) economic stagnation.
—Max Boot, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dysfunction 
Anna Halkidis, Parents, 12 July 2024
The cause of Priem’s death, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, was sudden cardiac dysfunction related to a heart condition that can impair the organ’s ability to pump blood.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024
After years of dysfunction, the state's cannabis agency is at risk of heading into receivership, at least if Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro gets his way.
—Steph Solis, Axios, 9 July 2024
Those might seem like anodyne promises, but they were well received by an electorate exhausted by 14 years of Tory drama and dysfunction, which delivered Brexit and (not coincidentally) economic stagnation.
—Max Boot, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dysfunction
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 27 Jul. 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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