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
  • Informal mining is a deep problem in South Africa and is connected to criminal syndicates, according to authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Bad actors rely on their platforms to distribute illicit products, facilitate fraud and fund criminal activity.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • During the actual stream, things moved quickly beyond gambling, turning into something closer to a chaotic Drake variety show.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Kitchen The kitchen is a hard-working space that can feel chaotic—but doesn’t have to.
    — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • While many may remember Cooter as a gregarious good ‘ol boy, the character had a wild, rebellious side in the first season of the show.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In a somewhat rebellious moment, Meghan attended her first Trooping the Colour ceremony wearing an off-the-shoulder Carolina Herrera dress.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • April 20 – May 20 Steady steps make messy tasks feel manageable.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Everyone has a plan, sure, and sometimes an ironclad belief in their motivations for that plan, but something always twists itself into a messy little knot in the execution.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 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
  • His long, often unruly lines, while not always ear-pleasing to me, are attractive in their chaotic nature.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Where season three frustrated with its aimless pacing, its unruly plotting, its self-congratulatory strain of goodness, new showrunner Jack Burditt (30 Rock, Modern Family) dials back the worst of the show’s excesses.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of unruly
Adjective
  • With a pointed collar and button cuffs, flannels look more put-together than sloppy sweatshirts, all while staying comfy and relaxed.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disorderly

Nglish: Translation of disorderly for Spanish Speakers

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