dysfunctional
[ dis-fuhngk-shuh-nl ]
/ dɪsˈfʌŋk ʃə nl /
adjective
not performing normally, as an organ or structure of the body; malfunctioning.
having a malfunctioning part or element: It is hard to get bills through a dysfunctional congress.
behaving or acting outside social norms: All the siblings in their extremely dysfunctional family lost contact as adults.
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Nearby words
Related formsdys·func·tion·al·ly, adverb
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for dysfunctional
British Dictionary definitions for dysfunctional
dysfunctional
/ (dɪsˈfʌŋkʃənəl) /
adjective
med (of an organ or part) not functioning normally
(esp of a family) characterized by a breakdown of normal or beneficial relationships between members of the group
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for dysfunctional
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper