disorderly conduct

noun

: a petty offense chiefly against public order and decency that falls short of an indictable misdemeanor

Examples of disorderly conduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jones and Story were charged with trespass after warning and disorderly conduct. Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Seven people have been arrested so far this month for charges that include disorderly conduct, harassment and assault. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025 All 13 activists, ranging in age from 19 to 28, were initially charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 10 Oct. 2025 Last Thursday, Sortor was jailed in Portland after police arrested him on suspicion of disorderly conduct. Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disorderly conduct

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disorderly conduct was in 1786

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disorderly conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly%20conduct. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

disorderly conduct

noun
dis·​or·​der·​ly conduct
: conduct that is likely to lead to a disturbance of the public peace or that offends public decency
also : the petty offense of engaging in disorderly conduct compare breach of the peace

Note: The term disorderly conduct is used in statutes to identify various acts against the public peace. It has been held to include the use of obscene language in public, the blocking of public ways, and the making of threats. A statute must identify acts that constitute disorderly conduct with sufficient clarity in order to avoid being held unconstitutional because of vagueness.

More from Merriam-Webster on disorderly conduct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!