dysfunctional

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.

A self-assured, naive young woman joins a dysfunctional theater company in Beryl Bainbridge’s darkly comic novel of mishaps and maturity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Over time they can enter a dysfunctional condition called T cell exhaustion, where their ability to eliminate threats declines.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026

Mbappe is top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League, even in a dysfunctional Madrid side that sacked coach Xabi Alonso in January.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Nagi says many of the children come from dysfunctional families and her teachers often have to double-up as their counsellors and protectors.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

And this touches me, somehow, even more than the presumptive lie about his assets: that this place he has described as so morbidly dysfunctional could amount to a real and compelling human community.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich