disarray

noun dis·ar·ray \ ˌdis-ə-ˈrā \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Examples: disarray in a Sentence

Definition of disarray

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

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Examples of disarray in a Sentence

The room was in disarray.
The company has fallen into complete disarray.

Recent Examples of disarray from the Web

In the meantime, with both major political parties in the U.K. in terminal disarray, its government on the verge of collapse, and its relationship with Europe tainted, that Russian money is looking ever more well-spent.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "The Brexit Crisis Finally Engulfs the Party That Started It," 11 July 2018
The tumult has thrown his long-ruling political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, into disarray and division with national parliamentary elections less than three weeks away.

— pamela constable, Washington Post, "Pakistan court convicts former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in corruption case," 6 July 2018
The tumult has thrown his long-ruling political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, into disarray and division with national parliamentary elections less than three weeks away.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Pakistan court convicts former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in corruption case," 6 July 2018
With Spanish football in disarray and the national side seemingly throwing out their entire gameplan right before the start of the competition, fans needed some words of encouragement to keep spirits high.

— SI.com, "Sergio Ramos Looks to Reassure Spain Supporters on Twitter After Shock Julen Lopetegui Sacking," 14 June 2018
If she is defeated, the risk increases of an early election, which would throw the Brexit process into disarray, and possibly usher in a Labour government.

— tim ross, Bloomberg.com, "U.K. Labour Seeks Soft Brexit in Bid to Force Defeat on May," 5 June 2018
Neighbors said the rescue home's yard was in disarray and smelled disgusting, the Star-Tribune reports.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "Search reveals 60 dead cats in animal rescue's freezer, garage and yard, Minn. cops say | Miami Herald," 12 May 2018
One veteran's post on social media has prompted a VA clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, to apology for the disarray and dirty conditions found at the facility.

— peter martinez, CBS News, "Veteran's photos of dirty VA clinic room go viral, prompts apology," 29 Apr. 2018
With the ruling center-left in disarray and the far-right capitalizing on the influx of refugees, a kingmaker potentially looms.

— alastair jamieson, NBC News, "Italy’s Berlusconi could play kingmaker after wild election campaign," 2 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disarray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of disarray

see ²disarray

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

disarray Synonyms

disarray

verb

Definition of disarray

transitive verb

1 : to throw into disorder

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

2 : undress

Examples of disarray in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of disarray from the Web

In this one, the first of a series published from 1935 to 1961, readers are introduced to a nervous Londoner named Pongo Twistleton, whose orderly life is disarrayed by the visit of his peremptory and mischievous uncle Fred from the country.

— jesse green, New York Times, "Review: Surprise Lessons From John Lithgow’s ‘Stories by Heart’," 11 Jan. 2018