DISORDER Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

disorder 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disorder

as in chaos

a state in which everything is out of order the general disorder of the room after the guests finally left the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disease

an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning afflicted all her life with a nervous disorder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disorder

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər

as in to disrupt

to undo the proper order or arrangement of be careful not to disorder the carefully arranged contents of the dresser

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of disorder

Noun

And occasionally other medical conditions, such as thyroid disorder or stroke postpartum, can also exacerbate it. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Finding that your sleep is broken up into too many smaller sessions was associated with metabolic and psychiatric disorders, suggesting continuity of shut-eye is just as important as getting enough hours spent in REM states. — Mike McRae 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

For example, tai chi practitioners are encouraged to stay at 70% effort, a practice that reduces injuries, facilitates mindfulness, and helps maintain nourishing, not disordered, relationships to movement. — Paula Chesley, STAT, 3 June 2026 A lot of the research on body image and media psychology has found that exposure time on social media very much correlates with body image issues and disordered eating tendencies. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disorder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorder

Noun

What follows is 90 minutes of comedy, chaos and quick-thinking improvisation while the four sober actors fight to keep the script on track.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Widow’s Bay may have horror, comedy and plenty of chaos, but Root said the cast approached it all with the same goal.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of chaos

Noun

Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of disease

Verb

Improved logistics for Saudi crude exports have reduced the market's assessment of how much supply is at risk, Massabni said, adding that oil prices reflect not just available barrels but also the probability of those supplies being disrupted.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
The situation in Bangladesh highlights the dangers of disrupting vaccine supplies, Nuzzo says.

— Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

In Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Heteherman’s system, everything starts with creating havoc up front.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
The secondary is experienced and has shown a knack for causing havoc against opposing quarterbacks.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of havoc

Noun

As a result, more people have now died of environmental illnesses that followed the September 11 attacks than perished during the collapse of the towers that day.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
About 80% of infected people develop no symptoms, while most others experience a mild flu-like illness.

— Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of illness

Verb

But the decision left many in the football community confused, with an online petition started by alumnus Tim Hanrahan garnering more than 3,000 signatures.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
This is where things get messy, and many folks — oligarchs in particular — become invested in keeping the general voter confused.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of confuse

Noun

In determining whether to reimburse treatment for such ailments, insurers turn to Food and Drug Administration labels and expert guidelines.

— Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Eleven gullible idiots were talked into acquitting because of an imaginary female ailment.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of ailment

Browse Nearby Words

disobliging

disorder

disordered

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Style

“Disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorder. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of disorder

noun

verb

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