dysgenic

adjective

dys·​gen·​ic (ˌ)dis-ˈje-nik How to pronounce dysgenic (audio)
1
: tending to promote survival of or reproduction by less well-adapted individuals (such as the weak or diseased) especially at the expense of well-adapted individuals (such as the strong or healthy)
the dysgenic effect of war
2
: biologically defective or deficient

Examples of dysgenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Such zones will be prevalent for traits that involve more complicated epistatic interactions, perhaps accounting for the dysgenic effects observed in F1s. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2010

Word History

Etymology

dys- + -genic

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dysgenic was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near dysgenic

Cite this Entry

“Dysgenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dysgenic. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

dysgenic

adjective
dys·​gen·​ic
variants also disgenic
1
: tending to promote survival of or reproduction by less well-adapted individuals (as the weak or diseased) especially at the expense of well-adapted individuals (as the strong or healthy)
the dysgenic effect of war
2
: biologically defective or deficient
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!