as in havoc
a state in which everything is out of order
the boys' bedroom was in its usual disarray
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
he had accidentally disarrayed his brother's CDs, leaving a telltale sign of borrowing without permission
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disarray
Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
But the growing ubiquity of artificial light has thrown this cycle into disarray.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Ram Venkatesh, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022
For much of this summer, staff shortages and a surge of travelers have led to long lines at security and passport control, disarray at baggage claim and crowded terminals in Europe.
—Jacob Passy, WSJ, 12 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for disarray
Noun
Some employees have faced disarray in recent years stemming from a lack of clarity around corporate matters including Target’s stance on diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
But the growing ubiquity of artificial light has thrown this cycle into disarray.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hybrid data is here to stay, so don’t let data disarray slow innovation or undermine smart business decision making.
—Ram Venkatesh, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022
For much of this summer, staff shortages and a surge of travelers have led to long lines at security and passport control, disarray at baggage claim and crowded terminals in Europe.
—Jacob Passy, WSJ, 12 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for disarray
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disarray
Noun
-
Texas Tech started slow in Manhattan, but the dam eventually broke due to Tech’s havoc-wreaking defense.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The real reason is to wreak as much havoc as humanly possible, or at least that’s what we’re given to believe from the way the hostess swans about while deftly manipulating dozens of puppet strings simultaneously.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the science shows exercising late at night, just before bed can disrupt sleep.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and Navy both operate advanced jamming aircraft, such as the J-16D, equipped with pods that can disrupt radar, GPS, and datalinks across wide areas.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And its cemeteries had grown into an overcrowded mess.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Parchment paper is a great tool for mess-free baking.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Smith steadied a Dodgers team constantly shuffling the top of its lineup and searching for the right matchups from its bullpen.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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The two are lost in time in the halls of the White Octopus Hotel, shuffling through 1935 and 2015 London in hopes of a second chance.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On another note, this year’s astro-weather serves as the ultimate backdrop for creativity, chaos and unpredictable fun.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Following a few months of absolute chaos, as Nuno Espirito Santo talked himself out of a job and was replaced by Ange Postecoglou — a man with a footballing ethos that could not have been more different — Dyche is very much needed, as a steady hand on the tiller.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her daughter was confused, and eventually asked Nasser for an explanation as to what had been said.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
-
At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play.—
Laia Garcia-Furtado,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Verb
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For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disarray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disarray. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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