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
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Recent Examples of disorderly
The Jennings Beach Carnival in Fairfield has been canceled after police said large and disorderly crowds created public safety concerns on Friday, police said.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
She was charged with disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer/firefighter/EMT, resisting arrest with violence and threatening a public servant, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
People with the disorder usually experience a combination of psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorderly behavior.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Cincinnati's Opening Day ended with disorderly behavior and arrests at The Banks and elsewhere.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
She was charged with disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer/firefighter/EMT, resisting arrest with violence and threatening a public servant, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
People with the disorder usually experience a combination of psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorderly behavior.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Cincinnati's Opening Day ended with disorderly behavior and arrests at The Banks and elsewhere.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
Adjective
-
When Richards began his career in criminal-justice advocacy, the idea of closing Rikers Island would have been a radical fantasy.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Jayvon Boyd, 27, was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the stabbing, which occurred the day before.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
His earliest mature paintings, often filled with snarling creatures arranged in chaotic formations, started to include monochromatic backgrounds that became a staple in his art.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
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Alongside the duo’s elevation, the raging crowds for Yeat’s live shows became both electric and chaotic.—
Miki Hellerbach,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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That would be a massive threat to the hegemony established by the film, especially for people at their most curious, rebellious age.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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And what could be more rebellious than sending a roomful of serious cinephiles screaming for the exits?—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
But even chips are absent from the formal agenda because the politics are too messy.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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Just to make things even messier and more over-plotted, Sylvie notices a light on for five days straight in an upper-floor apartment, reporting to the cops her concern that the old man who lives there might have died.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Thanks to the anarchic Russian civil war, no one is entirely clear on who really controls the city, and the only constant is the threat of violence.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
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The Dark Knight redefined what a superhero film could be, eschewing camp for a gritty crime drama whose cool color palette, brooding hero, and anarchic villain cast a shadow over the genre for decades.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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In the past, her songs were so littered with personal details that listening felt voyeuristic.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
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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These Amazon finds are made for petite travelers who want to stay comfortable without defaulting to sloppy sweats.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
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Spurs seemed to run out of energy and their passing became sloppy.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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