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 messy
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 Several people were arrested and charged with simple assault and disorderly offenses during an anti-ICE protest in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday. — Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026 Bessent’s maneuvers are distinct, some observers say, by not being prompted by crisis or particularly disorderly market conditions. — Christopher Anstey, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 By 2002, Beijing decided to rein in the disorderly competition. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Habib, who joined the department in 2007, was responding to a 911 call at a Bronx catering hall in 2023 when a drunk and disorderly man resisted arrest, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
  1. criminal
  2. messy
  3. rebellious
  4. chaotic
  5. anarchic
  6. littered
  7. unruly
  8. sloppy
Adjective
  • The charges include organized theft and criminal association, said Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Russell Brand has arrived to London’s Southwark Crown Court for the start of his criminal trial.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Plus, merging everything into one pot can be messy; One partner may be paying off student loans while the other is debt-free with a pristine credit history.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Bears have a messy QB situation but the defense has been mostly good.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of messy
Adjective
  • The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Now, Pugh has entered the chat with the most rebellious version yet.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Meloni's right-wing coalition says the change will lead to more stable governments and avoid chaotic post-election dealmaking.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In a recent Nature study, Stoliker’s team designed an experiment to test whether these directions are truly chaotic and random.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of chaotic
Adjective
  • The poet, Pavese implies, is a creature of Chaos—that anarchic state in which good is mixed with bad and monsters mingle with men and gods.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Together, the two embark on an anarchic mother-and-daughter journey to reconnect.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 26 Aug. 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
  • Bakker’s boyhood experience of the wild, unruly Pentecostal God might have matured into a due humility, a dumbstruck awe and a sense of wonder.
    — David Von Drehle, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • To the broadcast crews, the fans were guilty until proven innocent, helping perpetuate the unfounded label that Fever fans were hateful, unruly and even discriminatory.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of unruly
Adjective
  • Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The pair seemed prepared and methodical—not sloppy carousers but people with a plan.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sloppy

Phrases Containing disorderly

Browse Nearby Words

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 14 Oct. 2026.

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