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
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
Finding a brush with disorderly bristles to describe the mass of foliage on the tree, allowing the brush, the paper, the ink to resist the Constable lushness.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Finding a brush with disorderly bristles to describe the mass of foliage on the tree, allowing the brush, the paper, the ink to resist the Constable lushness.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
Adjective
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The accusations against Burton have raised questions about his criminal background and the vetting process city officials use before hiring someone for Safe Streets.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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The insecurity crisis is frustrating business owners, human rights defenders and regular Haitians who are forced to navigate a capital that is largely controlled by criminal gangs.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The truth in this case — as is often true — is specific, chaotic, at times just dumb.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
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The world is chaotic and noisy, and her approach demands patience, of which supply is limited.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Others like Asleep at the Wheel founder Ray Benson highlighted Malo’s rebellious side, sharing a hazy memory of a joint shared in a Grammy Awards bathroom.—
Chris Parton,
Rolling Stone,
6 Dec. 2025
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Pulley credits that campaign with helping change the image of motorcycles from rebellious to something more acceptable to the mainstream and boosting Honda’s sales position dramatically.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
Freep.com,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Will America be messy once again, pairing Sol with Sincere, basically recreating last year’s drama when Jeremiah was paired with Iris?—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
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Consider transplanting smaller plants farther away so that feasting birds will leave their messy droppings elsewhere.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The action was technical and inventive but also anarchic, in the image of its director, former Monty Python actor Terry Gilliam, by this point a big name in Hollywood.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
17 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
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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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San Antonio made nine of its first 11 shots, with the Knicks and their fans frustrated by the referees and the home team’s sloppy play, and led 33-22 after one.—
Brian Mahoney,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
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Later in 2025 Blanche oversaw the release of documents as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which drew criticism from Epstein survivors as being slow, sloppy, and incomplete.—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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