1
: lack of order
clothes in disorder
2
: breach of the peace or public order
troubled times marked by social disorders
3
: an abnormal physical or mental condition
a liver disorder
a personality disorder
Synonyms
Examples of disorder in a Sentence
Verb
be careful not to disorder the carefully arranged contents of the dresser
Noun
The mayor is concerned that a rally could create public disorder.
problems of crime and social disorder
Millions of people suffer from some form of personality disorder.
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Verb
Climate change is so far advanced that its effects will disorder society for generations to come.
—Richard Sennett, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2020
On a molecular level, sarcomeres—proteins that aid contraction—were shorter and disordered after space exposure, and cells’ mitochondria, responsible for energy production, had become deformed.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
About 571 were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 164 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
—Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
As a result, the puppies produced are often plagued with genetic disorders, leading to chronic health issues that can shorten their lifespan and significantly affect their quality of life.
—Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorder
Word History
Phrases Containing disorder
- affective disorder
- alcohol use disorder
- antisocial personality disorder
- anxiety disorder
- Asperger's disorder
- attention deficit disorder
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- autism spectrum disorder
- autistic disorder
- autistic spectrum disorder
- binge eating disorder
- bipolar disorder
- borderline personality disorder
- colony collapse disorder
- conversion disorder
- developmental disorder
- dissociative identity disorder
- eating disorder
- factitious disorder
- factitious disorder imposed on another
- factitious disorder imposed on self
- gender identity disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder
- hoarding disorder
- illness anxiety disorder
- major depressive disorder
- mental disorder
- mood disorder
- multiple personality disorder
- narcissistic personality disorder
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- oppositional defiant disorder
- panic disorder
- personality disorder
- pervasive developmental disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- psychopathic personality disorder
- schizoid personality disorder
- schizotypal personality disorder
- seasonal affective disorder
- sleep disorder
- somatic symptom disorder
- throw into disorder
- unipolar disorder
Dictionary Entries Near disorder
Cite this Entry
“Disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorder. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
disorder
1 of 2 verb
dis·or·der
(ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər
1
: to disturb the order of
2
: to disturb the regular or normal functions of
disorder
2 of 2 noun1
: lack of order : a state or condition without order
clothes in disorder
2
: an abnormal physical or mental condition : ailment
Medical Definition
disorder
1 of 2 transitive verb
dis·or·der
(ˈ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər, (ˈ)diz-
disordered; disordering
-ˈȯrd-(ə-)riŋ
: to disturb the regular or normal functions of
disorder
2 of 2 noun
: an abnormal physical or mental condition : ailment
an intestinal disorder
a nervous disorder
More from Merriam-Webster on disorder
Nglish: Translation of disorder for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of disorder for Arabic Speakers
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