disorder

verb dis·or·der \ (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər , (ˌ)diz- \

Definition of disorder

transitive verb

1 :to disturb the order of

2 :to disturb the regular or normal functions of

See disorder defined for kids

Examples of disorder in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of disorder from the Web

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

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.

First Known Use of disorder

15th century

disorder Synonyms

Synonyms

confuse, derange, disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disjoint, dislocate, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, hash, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, muss, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset

Antonyms

arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, range, regulate, straighten (up), tidy

Related Words

embroil, entangle, snarl, tangle; agitate, perturb, stir (up), unsettle; clutter

Near Antonyms

align (also aline), line, line up, queue; classify, codify, methodize, systematize, systemize; adjust, fix; groom, make up, spruce (up); unscramble

disorder

noun

Definition of disorder

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

See disorder defined for English-language learners

Examples of disorder in a Sentence

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 of disorder from the Web

In October, the sheriff's office said tests indicated the newborn's parents were Hispanic and that her mother was taking a medication prescribed for epilepsy or bipolar disorder.

— chicago tribune staff, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "A year after newborn's body was found near Wheaton, officials still seeking her parents," 16 Aug. 2017
The biggest everyday use of CRISPR so far is to engineer animals with human-like disorders for basic research, such as learning how genes cause disease or influence development and what therapies might help.

— lauran neergaard, chicagotribune.com, "7 things to know about gene editing," 4 Aug. 2017
Does this study at least mean that CRISPR may be used in the not-too-distant future to eliminate simple genetic disorders at the embryonic stage?

— james kath, Scientific American Blog Network, "Brave New World? Not Even Close," 2 Aug. 2017
Jefferson, who Janelle Charles says suffered from bipolar disorder, was awaiting trial on gun charges in an Illinois maximum security prison.

— malaika jabali, Essence.com, "A Mysterious Prison Death: What Happened To Michael Jefferson?," 20 July 2017
Although some therapists have said that the spinners help people with attention disorders, various schools in the United States have banned them as a distraction.

— neil macfarquhar, The Seattle Times, "That devious plot to ‘zombify’ Russia: the fidget spinner," 19 July 2017
For decades, diagnosing Alzheimer’s has been a guessing game, based on looking at a person’s symptoms rather than testing for definitive evidence of the brain disorder.

— tara bahrampour, Washington Post, "PET scans show many Alzheimer’s patients may not actually have the disease," 19 July 2017
A medical discharge, PTSD and personality disorder.

— alden woods, azcentral, "'Here for the eviction': More renters forced from homes as affordable-housing crisis deepens," 16 July 2017
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), among those admitted and discharged for opioid-use disorders in 2015, only 35% of people received medication as part of their treatment.

— The Economist, "What would Hippocrates do?Most people addicted to opioids receive no treatment," 13 July 2017

First Known Use of disorder

1523

disorder Synonyms

Synonyms

chance-medley, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, chaos, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter

Antonyms

order, orderliness

Related Words

anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot; knot, snarl, tangle; labyrinth, maze, web; maelstrom, storm; bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash, shuffle; hodgepodge, medley, miscellany, morass, motley

Near Antonyms

method, pattern, plan, system

DISORDER Defined for English Language Learners

disorder

noun

Definition of disorder for English Language Learners

: a confused or messy state : a lack of order or organization
: a state or situation in which there is a lot of noise, crime, violent behavior, etc.
medical : a physical or mental condition that is not normal or healthy

DISORDER Defined for Kids

disorder

verb dis·or·der \ dis-ˈȯr-dər \

Definition of disorder for Students

disordered; disordering

:to disturb the regular or normal arrangement or functioning of

You've disordered my papers.

disorder

noun

Definition of disorder for Students

1 :a confused or messy state

His room was in complete disorder.

2 :unruly behavior

Recess monitors prevented any disorder.

3 :a physical or mental condition that is not normal or healthy

a stomach disorder

Medical Dictionary

disorder

transitive verb dis·or·der \ (ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər, (ˈ)diz- \

medical Definition of disorder

disordered; disordering play \-ˈȯrd-(ə-)riŋ\

:to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder

noun

medical Definition of disorder

:an abnormal physical or mental condition :ailment

an intestinal disorder

a nervous disorder

Learn More about disorder

See words that rhyme with disorder Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disorder Spanish Central: Translation of disorder Nglish: Translation of disorder for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of disorder for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up disorder? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

disorder

Definition of disorder

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples of disorder from the Web

First Known Use of disorder

disorder Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

disorder

Definition of disorder

Examples of disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples of disorder from the Web

First Known Use of disorder

disorder Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to DISORDER

Related Phrases

DISORDER Defined for English Language Learners

disorder

Definition of disorder for English Language Learners

DISORDER Defined for Kids

disorder

Definition of disorder for Students

disorder

Definition of disorder for Students

Medical Dictionary

disorder

medical Definition of disorder

disorder

medical Definition of disorder

Learn More about disorder

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066