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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Dysfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dysfunction. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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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