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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of disorderly
Further, Trump’s executive order instructs these agencies to coordinate surveillance with public health and welfare agencies to address disorderly elements in communities, even when that person has not committed a crime.
—
Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
The Court recognized that civil rights activism required controversial and disorderly speech.
—Time, 29 Sep. 2025
She was charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly intoxication.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But Roman Catholicism restored order to her disorderly mind, Spark said.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Kate Caldwell, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
The Court recognized that civil rights activism required controversial and disorderly speech.
—Time, 29 Sep. 2025
She was charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly intoxication.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
But Roman Catholicism restored order to her disorderly mind, Spark said.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
Adjective
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In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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The discovery helped open the door to more recent developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples, and tracing family trees and ancient human ancestors.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Paul’s chaotic yet candid nature quickly uplifted her to reality TV icon status, so much so that ABC named her their next star of The Bachelorette.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Dispatch recordings from firefighters who were first on the scene at Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra’s home early Thursday reveal a chaotic and fast-moving fire that left crews scrambling to find water and to contain the spreading flames.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery was the law in the rebellious states.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
-
This wretched regime is doomed to be overthrown by the risen populace and rebellious youth.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But a big, beautiful, and sometimes messy public square that belongs to us all.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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The best heroes are beloved because their choices — admirable, messy, or otherwise — are hard ones made in service of something greater.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Reiner could be called a journeyman director, except what kind of journeyman director could make a movie as confident as When Harry Met Sally, or as anarchic as This Is Spinal Tap, or one that juggles as many tones as The Princess Bride?—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
-
The internet is ascendant, and anarchic.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
13 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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The soft knit fabric drapes just right, giving that relaxed vibe without looking sloppy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Practice had been a bit a sloppy at times, but San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher had a wide smile anyway Thursday afternoon.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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