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
Los Angeles native LaBeouf has a history of violent and disorderly behavior that shadowed his efforts to move past his Disney Channel days in the early aughts.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
The biggest risk for government bonds is the possibility that the Bank of Japan is behind the curve, which could trigger disorderly inflation, necessitating more frequent rate hikes, Kitamura said.
—Masahiro Hidaka, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
He is accused of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and disorderly intoxication.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
The biggest risk for government bonds is the possibility that the Bank of Japan is behind the curve, which could trigger disorderly inflation, necessitating more frequent rate hikes, Kitamura said.
—Masahiro Hidaka, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
He is accused of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and disorderly intoxication.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
Adjective
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The jury acquitted Contreras-Gafaro of nine additional charges, including theft in a range of $20,000 to $100,000, felony menacing, third-degree assault, child abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief, according to court records.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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Pennsylvania State Police and its criminal investigation unit responded to the scene, and the coroner has also been notified.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In recent years, south suburban Dolton and Thornton Township have become synonymous with political dysfunction — chaotic public meetings, allegations of financial impropriety, and residents stuck with deficits and unpaid bills.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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At Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a CNN reporter saw chaotic scenes, with passengers shuffling from line to line.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For Jean, Judge’s visit to Annecy is a momentous occasion that reflects the Festival’s determination to highlight the dynamism, social relevance and rebellious audacity of American adult animation series.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Like most of us, FIG shed its more rebellious tendencies over time.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s something that the broader AI industry has so far struggled to do, partly because LLMs are typically trained on vast, messy datasets scraped from across the internet, where ownership, consent and individual contributions from millions of sources are nearly impossible to track.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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Over the years, messy planning has led to controversial, costly golden parachutes, shareholder lawsuits, a stockholder revolt and a bitter, distracting proxy fight.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Stella Marie Markert | Germany Canadian Premiere Four teens living in a Berlin group home have created their own anarchic utopia.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
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There’s something classically anarchic about Kate Moss, but her delicate Americana anchor signals stability and steadfastness—that, or an unquenchable yearning for the sea.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
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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Then, just to flub any chance for enjoying some dumb fun with a skilled cast hamming it up, the sloppy story grinds the all-too-predictable, all-too-lame whodunit to a halt, as well.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
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In other cases, victims have slammed the department for sloppy redactions that revealed their sensitive information.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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