Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

dysfunctional

[dis-fuhngk-shuh-nl] / dɪsˈfʌŋk ʃə nl /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Running a pharmaceutical company under our dysfunctional system is a high-wire act that requires balancing the high-risk, high-cost business of drug discovery against the dubious math of drug pricing.

From MarketWatch Aug. 13, 2026

“Your bank account can’t protect you if you are breathing polluted air or rely on a dysfunctional health care system.”

From Salon Aug. 11, 2026

“It’s opening up this conversation about the fragility and how dysfunctional this healthcare system is and how hard it is for these doctors and healthcare workers to navigate their way through it,” Hatosy adds.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 5, 2026

Opinion is divided on whether these are sensible building blocks for the economy which allow living standards to improve, or a "dysfunctional" economic straitjacket.

From BBC Jul. 20, 2026

If we’re a messed up, dysfunctional family, I guess this can go down as our single functional moment.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman




Vocabulary lists containing dysfunctional


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training