disorderly

adjective

Definition of disorderlynext
1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority disorderly mobs roamed the streets after the fall of the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness disorderly piles of clothes on various tables about the room

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 disorderly Observing which plants succeed can also guide future efforts, gradually transforming a disorderly patch into a more reliable and productive space. — Dr. Lauren Kurtz, Hartford Courant, 24 May 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 Ceballos, who formerly served as mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, for two terms, pleaded guilty in April to three counts of disorderly election conduct following a prosecution by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s office. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 Ceballos pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of disorderly election conduct in Comanche County court April 20, agreeing to pay a $2,000 fine and serve a year of probation. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
  1. criminal
  2. chaotic
  3. rebellious
  4. messy
  5. anarchic
  6. littered
  7. unruly
  8. sloppy
Adjective
  • As part of her release conditions, she has been ordered to stay away from her 13-year-old daughter while the criminal case proceeds.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • In some regions, a single medical examiner may oversee hundreds of deaths each year, leading to bottlenecks that can slow criminal cases, complicate insurance claims, and leave families waiting months and sometimes years for answers.
    — Gregory McDonald, STAT, 13 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • If Spain keep cool, then Argentina run hot; a warm-blooded, emotional, often chaotic side where performances swing wildly within games, never mind from one match to the next.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • In the chaotic main event, Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther by DQ when Sami Zayn interfered, escalating tensions ahead of Saturday's tag match.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • The inspiration behind this rock-and-roll icon, however, lies in Hindu spiritual symbolism, whose meanings contrast sharply with the rebellious image the logo projects.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
  • Judy Davis stars as Sybylla, a rebellious young woman in 19th century Australia who longs to be a writer, but her traditionalist parents refuse to indulge those dreams, sending her to board with her wealthy grandmother instead.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Rather, a messy conflict oscillating between bouts of strikes and periods of relative calm beckons, while mediators look for new avenues to revive negotiations.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • This is an ideal arrangement for handling bulky or messy supplies for projects, or for letting maintenance personnel into the home to work on the mechanical systems.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of messy
Adjective
  • The whole thing is an anarchic delirium reminiscent of the kind experienced by Bart and Milhouse after drinking an all-syrup Super Squishee; thankfully, the comedown is quick and relatively painless.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • The story links the creatures’ anarchic physical comedy to silent-era pioneers such as Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
Definition of anarchic
Adjective
  • In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.
    — Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Definition of littered
Adjective
  • For the past 33 months, the demands of wartime have held together an unruly coalition government in Israel dominated by hard-right and religious parties.
    — Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 July 2026
  • An independent inquiry in 2012 found police had covered up their own mistakes and blamed the deaths on unruly supporters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of unruly
Adjective
  • No one likes the sloppy tailoring of Octavius’s open-back suit, but Law loves the jacket.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • This thick, brownish concoction, a kind of hot dog chili, is sloppy, packs some heat, and the fiery punch to the taste buds can be a surprise to the uninitiated.
    — USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of sloppy

Phrases Containing disorderly

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disorderliness
disorderly
disorderly house
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Cite this Entry

“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disorderly

Nglish: Translation of disorderly for Spanish Speakers

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