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
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
Richard Sennett, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2020
On a molecular level, sarcomeres—proteins that aid contraction—were shorter and disordered after space exposure, and cells’ mitochondria, responsible for energy production, had become deformed.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024
Alyssa Hui, Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Johnston was arrested in June 2023 and pleaded guilty one month later to a felony offense of obstructing officers during a civil disorder.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorder 
Verb
Climate change is so far advanced that its effects will disorder society for generations to come.
—Richard Sennett, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2020
On a molecular level, sarcomeres—proteins that aid contraction—were shorter and disordered after space exposure, and cells’ mitochondria, responsible for energy production, had become deformed.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
Long COVID symptoms may flare up, as could those associated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, a blood circulation disorder.
—Alyssa Hui, Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Johnston was arrested in June 2023 and pleaded guilty one month later to a felony offense of obstructing officers during a civil disorder.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorder
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disorder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near disorder
Cite this Entry
“Disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorder. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
disorder
1 of 2 verb
dis·or·der
(ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər 
1
: to disturb the order of
2
: to disturb the regular or normal functions of
disorder
2 of 2 noun1
: lack of order : a state or condition without order
clothes in disorder
2
: an abnormal physical or mental condition : ailment
Medical Definition
disorder
1 of 2 transitive verb
dis·or·der
(ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər, (ˈ)diz-
disordered; disordering
-ˈȯrd-(ə-)riŋ
: to disturb the regular or normal functions of
disorder
2 of 2 noun
: an abnormal physical or mental condition : ailment
an intestinal disorder
a nervous disorder
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