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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Climate change is so far advanced that its effects will disorder society for generations to come.
—Richard Sennett, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2020
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Many individuals with autism also experience co-occurring health issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, seizures, or chronic gastrointestinal problems.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorder 
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.
Verb
Research suggests that time spent on social networking sites is associated with body image issues, self-harm, and disordered eating in children and teens.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Climate change is so far advanced that its effects will disorder society for generations to come.
—Richard Sennett, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2020
Noun
For some, the declines were symptomatic of a greater disorder originating from within the league itself, something egregious enough to effectively drive a fifth of the audience away within the span of a single year.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Many individuals with autism also experience co-occurring health issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, seizures, or chronic gastrointestinal problems.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for disorder
Dictionary Entries Near disorder
Cite this Entry
“Disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorder. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share