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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As a whole, the return of the Ninja 300 feels almost rebellious in today's motorcycle market.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
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Difficult teenage years with lots of poor decisions and rebellious behavior.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Russia’s departure from World War 1 led to a savage revolution; its loss in Afghanistan heralded the messy collapse of the Soviet Union; and Moscow levelled much of Grozny before giving Chechnya autonomy in 1996.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
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The last case highlights the messy and contentious process the Founding Fathers underwent to form the federal government.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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In a nod to the Marx Brothers’ anarchic spirit, Ramseur announced the project on April 1.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
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No one embodies this anarchic sensibility like David Letterman, the original Late Show host, who recently joined Colbert to hurl CBS property off the studio’s roof, in a reprisal of a vintage bit.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 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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Earlier, a pair of Harry Kane goals — his ninth and 10th at World Cups — had twice put England ahead, only for some sloppy defending and smart attacking play to give Croatia a route back.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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Instead of one scammer typing out sloppy messages from a laptop, this setup worked more like a criminal software business.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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