dysfunctional
Failing to function
Dysfunctional describes something that fails to function properly or healthily.
Most often applied to families or relationships marked by poor communication, conflict, or harmful patterns: She grew up in a dysfunctional household.
The word extends to organizations, systems, or governments that don't work as they should: a dysfunctional Congress, dysfunctional management.
Sometimes used loosely for anything messy or problematic.
Harmful to one's wellbeing
- self-destructiveHarmful to oneself
- self-sabotagingHarming your own interests
- unhealthyHarmful to wellbeing
- toxicCapable of causing harm
destructive · counterproductive · harmful · detrimental · enabling · codependent · avoidant · compulsive
Opposition between parties
- tensionStretched or strained state
- discordLack of agreement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
hostility · animosity · friction · communication breakdown · toxic · codependent · enabling · enmeshment
Damaged beyond function
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- inefficientPoor at using resources
- unworkableImpossible to execute
inoperative · flawed · faulty · deficient · inadequate · incompetent · mismanaged · corrupt
Lacking systematic arrangement
- disorderedLacking systematic arrangement
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
- unstableProne to sudden change
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
unpredictable · turbulent · volatile · inconsistent · fragmented · scattered · haphazard · unsystematic
maladaptive
Harmful to one's wellbeing
- self-destructiveHarmful to oneself
- self-sabotagingHarming your own interests
- unhealthyHarmful to wellbeing
toxic · destructive · counterproductive · harmful · detrimental · enabling · codependent · avoidant · compulsive · addictive
conflict
Opposition between parties
- tensionStretched or strained state
- discordLack of agreement
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
resentment · hostility · animosity · friction · communication breakdown · toxic · codependent · enabling · enmeshment · alienation
broken
Damaged beyond function
- failingFlaw in one's nature
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
- inefficientPoor at using resources
unworkable · inoperative · flawed · faulty · deficient · inadequate · incompetent · mismanaged · corrupt · bureaucratic
disorganized
Lacking systematic arrangement
- disorderedLacking systematic arrangement
- chaoticTotally without arrangement
- unstableProne to sudden change
erratic · unpredictable · turbulent · volatile · inconsistent · fragmented · scattered · haphazard · unsystematic · incoherent
- nonfunctionalbroken, inoperative, out of order, defunct, faulty
- functional statusimpaired, independent, dependent, disabled, able-bodied
- organ functionimpaired, normal, healthy, failing, compromised
- disorderchaos, chaotic, disarray, mess, disordered
- mental statesknowledge, conscious, mood, anxious, memory
- botchedbotched, bungled, messed up, screwed up, fouled up
dysfunctionalfunctional
Able to operate correctly
working · operational · effective · functioning · operative
dysfunctionalhealthy
In good physical condition
functional · well-adjusted · adaptive · nurturing · supportive
dysfunctionalorganized
Systematically arranged
coherent · well-run · orderly · streamlined · systematic
- 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
dysfunction, dysfunctions, dysfunctionality, dysfunctionally