disorder

1 of 2

verb

dis·​or·​der (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər 

(ˌ)diz-

disordered; disordering; disorders

transitive verb

1

: to disturb the order of

2

: to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder

2 of 2

noun

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 of disorder

Verb

• disrupt
• confuse
• disturb
• disarray
• shuffle

Noun

• chaos
• havoc
• hell
• jumble
• confusion
• mess
• disorganization

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In addition to delusions and mania, the study found an increase in suicidal ideation and self-harm, disordered eating behaviors, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026

Corwin said that at the molecular level, glass looks disordered compared to crystals. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

Noun

Doctors didn’t expect Mia to reach her first birthday because of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD), a rare, genetic disorder often fatal during infancy. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026

The reality is that roughly one out of six Americans has a substance use disorder. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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
• neurodegenerative 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

Rhymes for disorder

• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder
• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder

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 noun

1

: 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