dysfunction
Not working right
Dysfunction is impaired or abnormal functioning.
A bodily dysfunction affects an organ or system: erectile dysfunction, kidney dysfunction.
Family dysfunction describes unhealthy relationship patterns.
Organizational dysfunction means a workplace or institution operates poorly.
The adjective dysfunctional appears more often than the noun: a dysfunctional family, dysfunctional communication.
Absence of organization
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- syndromeLinked symptoms forming pattern
- abnormalityDeviation from expected state
disability · deficiency · incapacity · debility · infirmity · condition · ailment · hypofunction
Minor system fault
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- errorFault in communication
- faultImperfection or blame
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
failure · crash · corruption · anomaly · flaw · misfire · short-circuit · jam
Lack of success
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- collapseSudden structural failure
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- declineDecrease or refuse
disruption · stagnation · gridlock · paralysis · inefficiency · instability · crisis · regression
Opposition between parties
- discordLack of agreement
- tensionStretched or strained state
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
codependency · abuse · neglect · resentment · hostility · communication · boundary · attachment
Rigid administrative system
- mismanagementIncompetent handling of responsibilities
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
siloing · bottleneck · micromanagement · turnover · toxicity · misalignment · miscommunication · accountability
disorder
Absence of organization
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- syndromeLinked symptoms forming pattern
abnormality · disability · deficiency · incapacity · debility · infirmity · condition · ailment · hypofunction · insufficiency
glitch
Minor system fault
defect · failure · crash · corruption · anomaly · flaw · misfire · short-circuit · jam · freeze
failure
Lack of success
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- collapseSudden structural failure
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
decline · disruption · stagnation · gridlock · paralysis · inefficiency · instability · crisis · regression · disintegration
conflict
Opposition between parties
- discordLack of agreement
- tensionStretched or strained state
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
toxicity · codependency · abuse · neglect · resentment · hostility · communication · boundary · attachment · trauma
bureaucracy
Rigid administrative system
- mismanagementIncompetent handling of responsibilities
- inefficiencySuboptimal use of resources
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
nepotism · siloing · bottleneck · micromanagement · turnover · toxicity · misalignment · miscommunication · accountability · leadership
- political turmoilpolitical instability, power vacuum, coup d'etat, military coup, uprising
- family dynamicsfamily dynamics, family roles, family therapy, sibling rivalry, parenting
- family dramafamily bonds, sibling rivalry, family reunion, kinship, family secret
- medical termsdiagnosis, disorder, surgery, disease, illness
- disordersADHD, disorder, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder
- medical diagnosisdiagnosis, symptom, symptoms, condition, disease
dysfunctionfunction
Purpose or duty
functionality · efficiency · effectiveness · working order · operability
dysfunctionharmony
Agreement or musical blend
cohesion · stability · emotional health · normalcy · mutual support
- dysfunctional familyRelatives with harmful dynamics
- cognitive dysfunctionCompromised thinking ability
- family dysfunction
- erectile dysfunctionInability to achieve rigidity
- sexual dysfunctionImpaired physical intimacy response
- executive dysfunctionImpaired self-direction and initiation
dysfunctional, dysfunctions, dysfunctionality, dysfunctionally