disorderly

1 of 2

adverb

dis·​or·​der·​ly (ˌ)dis-ˈȯrd-ər-lē How to pronounce disorderly (audio)
(ˌ)diz-
Synonyms of disorderlynext
archaic
: in a disorderly manner

disorderly

2 of 2

adjective

1
: engaged in conduct offensive to public order
charged with being drunk and disorderly
2
: characterized by disorder
a disorderly pile of clothes
disorderliness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of disorderly in a Sentence

Adjective She was charged with being drunk and disorderly. He was found guilty of disorderly conduct.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
This is the latest in a series of disorderly trade policy moves that have stoked fears of tipping the U.S. economy into a recession. — Lisa Kailai Han,sean Conlon, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025 Jennifer, when curating her vintage realm, realized that the term has two sides: while some think of exuberant, flamboyant pieces gathered in one disorderly shop, others imagine vintage as high-end, inaccessible to the average customer. — Grace Butler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 Alan Hostetter: Convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering or remaining on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. — Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 Real Housewives of New York Star (Countess) Luann De Lesseps was arrested in Palm Beach on Christmas Eve 2017 and charged with several offences, including battery, trespassing, and disorderly intoxication. — Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disorderly

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1560, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disorderly was in 1555

Phrases Containing disorderly

Rhymes for disorderly

See All Rhymes for disorderly

Browse Nearby Words

disorderly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

disorderly

adjective
dis·​or·​der·​ly
(ˈ)dis-ȯrd-ər-lē
1
: not behaving quietly or well : upsetting public order : unruly
disorderly persons
disorderly conduct
2
: not neat or orderly
a disorderly mass of papers
disorderliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disorderly

Nglish: Translation of disorderly for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All