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

That superhero movie’s release was overshadowed by controversies surrounding Miller, who in 2022 faced a series of arrests for disorderly conduct and assault charges. —Jack Smart, People.com, 27 May 2025

After ignoring requests to leave the premises and threats of arrest for disorderly conduct from Capitol police officers, the 10 individuals were placed in flex cuffs and escorted outside. —Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2025

Authorities also apprehended School Committee candidate Ashley Spring, 39, with four counts of assault and battery on a police officer, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (unknown liquid substance). —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025

Less than two weeks later, officials said the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court convicted him of disorderly conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for each conviction. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disorderly conduct

• abduct
• construct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• instruct
• obstruct
• aqueduct
• deconstruct
• reconstruct
• bucked
• chucked

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.