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
People with the disorder usually experience a combination of psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorderly behavior.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Cincinnati's Opening Day ended with disorderly behavior and arrests at The Banks and elsewhere.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
At The Battery Atlanta in Cobb County, police arrested multiple people after a recent event that authorities say led to disorderly behavior and safety concerns.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
People can be arrested for drunk and disorderly behavior, urinating in public or having open alcohol containers in vehicles.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Cincinnati's Opening Day ended with disorderly behavior and arrests at The Banks and elsewhere.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
At The Battery Atlanta in Cobb County, police arrested multiple people after a recent event that authorities say led to disorderly behavior and safety concerns.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
People can be arrested for drunk and disorderly behavior, urinating in public or having open alcohol containers in vehicles.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
Adjective
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Those efforts resulted in criminal charges against Giuliani in two states and a defamation lawsuit from election workers in Georgia.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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The decision to close the camp for the summer does not change the pending lawsuits nor the open criminal investigation being conducted by the Texas Rangers.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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The ex-con who shot NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller to death during a chaotic Queens car stop was hit Monday with the maximum sentence of 115 years to life behind bars.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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With less than a year until Chicago’s next mayoral election and amid a growing field of prospective candidates, more city residents hold a dim view of incumbent Brandon Johnson than a positive one about his often-chaotic first term at City Hall, a new poll shows.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Kravitz's sign is adventurous, blunt and always chasing a new adventure, while Styles' sign is rebellious, independent and slightly unpredictable.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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This tale of a rebellious unemployed mouse has already won a Goya.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Everything was hot, simple and a little messy in the best way.—
Melissa Oyler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
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Shared spaces were left messy, personal belongings spread throughout the house, decor rearranged and boundaries ignored.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Taccone’s film is certainly much more serious than the spoofy, anarchic projects he’s made in the past, including his work as a writer on Saturday Night Live.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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Formed in the late 2010s, the band was inspired by the anarchic creativity of Japanese noise acts like Melt-Banana, Solmania, and Boredoms.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
14 Apr. 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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But the Pistons were sloppy with the ball and careless overall in a 94-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night, falling behind 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Wolves started out sloppy with nine first-quarter turnovers and finished with 25.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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