dysfunction

noun

dys·​func·​tion (ˌ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce dysfunction (audio)
variants or less commonly disfunction
Synonyms of dysfunctionnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plenty of other conditions like pelvic floor dysfunction, interstitial cystitis (a.k.a. painful bladder syndrome), and yeast infections can be easy to confuse with UTIs. — Korin Miller, SELF, 17 Mar. 2025 Like any other muscle in the body, the pelvic floor muscles can also become weak, tight, and/or fatigued, causing pelvic floor dysfunction. — Dana Solomon, Outside Online, 16 Mar. 2025 The 62-38 vote came amid a brewing trade war between President Donald Trump and international allies and the administration's mass layoffs of federal workers, and where any additional signs of U.S. political dysfunction would only add to the economic uncertainty. — Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 Yet in one moment of candor, Mullin said the rollercoaster style of governance that has defined the House over the last couple of years, with narrow margins fostering dysfunction for the GOP, has been enough to dampen his love for the chamber. — David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dysfunction

Word History

Etymology

dys- + function entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dysfunction was circa 1916

Phrases Containing dysfunction

Rhymes for dysfunction

See All Rhymes for dysfunction

Browse Nearby Words

dysfunction

Cite this Entry

“Dysfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dysfunction. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

dysfunction

noun
dys·​func·​tion dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce dysfunction (audio)
: impaired or abnormal functioning
liver dysfunction
dysfunctional
-shnəl How to pronounce dysfunction (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

dysfunction

noun
dys·​func·​tion
variants also disfunction
(ˈ)dis-ˈfəŋ(k)-shən How to pronounce dysfunction (audio)
: impaired or abnormal functioning (as of an organ of the body) see minimal brain dysfunction
dysfunctional
-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl How to pronounce dysfunction (audio)
adjective
dysfunctioning
-shə-niŋ How to pronounce dysfunction (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dysfunction

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dysfunction

Nglish: Translation of dysfunction for Spanish Speakers

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