variants
also disfunction
as in disease
impaired or abnormal functioning (as of a body part)
She's suffered from minor brain dysfunction since the accident.
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Recent Examples of dysfunction
Overall, the survey found that renovating homeowners often cite dissatisfaction with the old kitchen’s style as their top motivator at 41 percent, followed by kitchen deterioration or dysfunction as a top motivator (38 percent).
—
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 Jan. 2026
For fans who love Landman’s high-stakes business drama combined with its vulnerable look at generational trauma and family dysfunction, Dynasty is worth watch.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
But in many cases, the most difficult person is not the cause of dysfunction.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The prefrontal cortex is a core region for emotional and cognitive processing and regulation; its dysfunction is thought to be a key aspect of what causes depression.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dysfunction
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 Jan. 2026
For fans who love Landman’s high-stakes business drama combined with its vulnerable look at generational trauma and family dysfunction, Dynasty is worth watch.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
But in many cases, the most difficult person is not the cause of dysfunction.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The prefrontal cortex is a core region for emotional and cognitive processing and regulation; its dysfunction is thought to be a key aspect of what causes depression.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dysfunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dysfunction
Noun
-
The path to health involves aggressive treatment that eradicates the disease.—
Pedro A. Rojas Arroyo,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These issues include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and multiple types of cancer, including breast, liver, colorectal, esophageal, and head and neck cancers.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ethan has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a condition that can make emotional regulation especially challenging.—
Mayo Clinic News Network,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Declined to apply for a state grant of up to $400,000 to test the use of the drug buprenorphine to combat opioid use disorder.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dysfunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dysfunction. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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