disarray

1 of 2

noun

dis·​ar·​ray ˌdis-ə-ˈrā 

1

: a lack of order or sequence : confusion, disorder

the room was in disarray

… the disarray of paper in the In-Out basket …

—Jackie Weger

2

: disorderly dress : dishabille

disarray

2 of 2

verb

disarrayed; disarraying; disarrays

transitive verb

1

: to throw into disorder

The discarded magazines and newspapers, the layers of dust and disarrayed rugs …

—Gloria Naylor

2

: undress

Synonyms of disarray

Noun

• havoc
• mess
• chaos
• jumble
• confusion
• hell
• disorder
• disorganization

Verb

• disrupt
• shuffle
• confuse
• disturb

Examples of disarray in a Sentence

Noun

The room was in disarray.

The company has fallen into complete disarray.

Verb

he had accidentally disarrayed his brother's CDs, leaving a telltale sign of borrowing without permission

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Beaten in their opener by Ireland in New York, Italy then went a man down against Norway and looked in disarray. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 June 2026

As Missouri prepares for the upcoming primary, the series of questions surrounding the map has thrown the state’s election cycle into disarray. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Verb

Not only were Carlson and Trouba leaning toward departures, but team captain Radko Gudas is an unrestricted free agent, leaving the right side of the Ducks’ defense in flux if not disarray. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 17 June 2026

That signing eventually turned a franchise used to disarray to one with legit postseason hopes. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English disaraye, disaray "disorder, broken military formation," borrowed from Anglo-French dissairay, noun derivative of desaraier "to mishandle, throw into disorder" — more at disarray entry 2

Verb

Middle English disarraien "to break up (a military formation), throw into disorder," borrowed from Anglo-French desaraier "to mishandle, throw into disorder," from des- dis- + arraier, arreyer, aroier "to arrange, order, marshal, equip, attire" — more at array entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disarray

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

disarray

1 of 2 noun

dis·​ar·​ray ˌdis-ə-ˈrā 

1

: a lack of order : confusion, disorder

the room was in disarray

2

: disorderly dress

disarray

2 of 2 verb

: to throw into disorder