dysfunctional

American  

[dis-fuhngk-shuh-nl] / dɪsˈfʌŋk ʃə 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.

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dysfunctional British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• dysfunctionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of dysfunctional

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

Example Sentences

In the aftermath of the seizure and rendition of Nicolas Maduro, Kazin posted on X about his experiences and the vicissitudes of running an operation in what was clearly a chaotic, dysfunctional, failed state.

From MarketWatch

One thing to be said for the splintered families of three new novels is that being dysfunctional is better than being nonfunctional—at least an effort is being made.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a tall order, and when June has a fall that sends her back into the hospital — and soon after, hospice — Julia must wrangle her dysfunctional family and rally them all to face the inevitable.

From Salon

She would inherit a dysfunctional government and a corrupt judiciary, but her commitment to a new republic founded on freedom, property rights and the rule of law would give her a good start.

From The Wall Street Journal

And they weren’t the only ones casting a bleak and dysfunctional light on the show.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flawed