disorder

verb

dis·or·der | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər

, (ˌ)diz-\

disordered; disordering; disorders

Definition of disorder

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to disturb the order of

2 : to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder

noun

Definition of disorder (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : lack of order clothes in disorder

2 : breach of the peace or public order troubled times marked by social disorders

3 : an abnormal physical or mental condition a liver disorder a personality disorder

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about disorder

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Examples of disorder in a Sentence

Verb

be careful not to disorder the carefully arranged contents of the dresser

Noun

The mayor is concerned that a rally could create public disorder. problems of crime and social disorder Millions of people suffer from some form of personality disorder.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Democracies are also prone to disorder and corruption, but these are ineluctable features of any political system comprised of selfish and flawed human beings. — Sean Illing, Vox, "Intellectuals have said democracy is failing for a century. They were wrong.," 20 Dec. 2018 He was arrested on charges of possessing intoxicants for unlawful purposes, possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities, evading arrest and disordering conduct. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "Man nicknamed 'Captain Jack Sparrow' huffed glue, kicked Tennessee cops, police say," 7 May 2018 The new guidance comes a day after President Donald Trump declared opioid use disorders a public health emergency and promised to accelerate the federal government’s response to the crisis. — Michelle Hackman, WSJ, "Trump Administration Relaxes Medical Privacy Rule for Overdoses," 27 Oct. 2017 Her personality disorder has the power to disorder other people’s personalities. — Wesley Morris, New York Times, "Sign Up for the Watching Newsletter," 18 Apr. 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Institute investigators also created a device to stimulate foot support in bed patients with motor disorders, among several other uses. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, "Touring Where the Mars-500 'Astronauts' Pretended to Take a Red Planet Journey," 11 July 2018 His disorder was an uncrackable riddle that doctors and medication could not solve. — Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, "Berkeley boy was ‘Patient X’ in first FDA-approved medicine derived from marijuana," 8 July 2018 People with personality disorders typically take longer to treat, as do those with volatile living situations, such as victims of domestic violence, who may have difficulty changing their behaviors, or attending sessions consistently. — Katie Heaney, The Cut, "Everything You Need to Know About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy," 1 June 2018 Her disorder mainly affects her bones, eyes and hands. — Emma Austin, The Courier-Journal, "Kenyan JCPS student won't let health issues stop her from graduating," 31 May 2018 Randolph said Ben Alexander's presence at Tulane has provided a roadmap for a growing number of students with autism-spectrum disorders who have since enrolled at the university. — Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, NOLA.com, "Tulane recognizes father's efforts in his autistic graduate's success," 29 May 2018 Internet addiction, for example, is not included in the DSM-5, the American Psychiatric Association’s handbook for mental disorders. — Carrie Battan, Harper's BAZAAR, "Escaping the Seduction of Your Smartphone," 26 July 2018 The paralysis, which is often confused for a neurologic disorder, usually resolves within 24 hours after the tick is removed. — Ashley May, USA TODAY, "Tick paralysis: 5-year-old suddenly couldn't walk, had trouble speaking, mom says," 12 June 2018 She was released amid the disorder of the 2014 overthrow of Yanukovych, and lost a presidential election to Poroshenko three months later. — Yuras Karmanau, The Seattle Times, "Comedian leads presidential polling in Ukraine," 30 Mar. 2019

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