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
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
New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
But mimicking this behavior and expecting similar results could set young adults up for disappointment or disordered eating habits.
—Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Laura Kwerel, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
The Medicaid program is considered to be the largest payer of mental health services in the country, the largest funder for nursing homes and long-term care in the U.S., and the largest payer for substance abuse treatment, including opioid use disorder, according to health experts.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disorder
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Verb
Next, the researchers looked at the relationship between the frequency of use of these apps and disordered eating, body image, and compulsive exercise.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
But mimicking this behavior and expecting similar results could set young adults up for disappointment or disordered eating habits.
—Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
This was 1975, before the current awareness of Alzheimer's, and even his doctor didn't suspect the disorder.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
The Medicaid program is considered to be the largest payer of mental health services in the country, the largest funder for nursing homes and long-term care in the U.S., and the largest payer for substance abuse treatment, including opioid use disorder, according to health experts.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disorder
Cite this Entry
“Disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorder. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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