disorderly

1 of 3

adverb

dis·​or·​der·​ly (ˌ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər-lē How to pronounce disorderly (audio)
(ˌ)diz-
Synonyms of disorderlynext
archaic
: in a disorderly manner

disorderly

2 of 3

adjective

1
: engaged in conduct offensive to public order
charged with being drunk and disorderly
2
: characterized by disorder
a disorderly pile of clothes
disorderliness noun

disorderliness

3 of 3

noun

dis·​orderliness
"+
: the quality or state of being disorderly
it gives a certain typical disorderliness to our behavior which baffles some foreign observersDean Acheson

Examples of disorderly in a Sentence

Adjective She was charged with being drunk and disorderly. He was found guilty of disorderly conduct.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Their charges reportedly include assaulting a police officer, disorderly behavior in a police station, disorderly behavior, resisting arrest, obscene language, escape from lawful custody, causing dangerous harm and two counts of damage and obstruction. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 She was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center and was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, breach of peace/disorderly intoxication. Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 12 June 2026 During these takeovers, authorities say teens often assault people and sometimes each other, commit robberies and carry out other disorderly behavior. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 June 2026 Medina faced charges that included obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors that included destruction of government property and disorderly and disruptive conduct. ABC News, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disorderly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1555, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disorderly was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

disorderly

adjective
dis·​or·​der·​ly
(ˈ)dis-ȯrd-ər-lē
1
: not behaving quietly or well : upsetting public order : unruly
disorderly persons
disorderly conduct
2
: not neat or orderly
a disorderly mass of papers
disorderliness noun

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