disorganize

verb

dis·​or·​ga·​nize (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

disorganized; disorganizing; disorganizes

transitive verb

: to destroy or interrupt the orderly structure or function of

disorganization

(ˌ)dis-ˌȯr-gə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• confuse
• derange
• disarrange
• disarray
• discompose
• dishevel
• disjoint
• dislocate
• disorder
• disrupt
• disturb
• hash
• jumble
• mess (up)
• mix (up)
• muddle
• muss
• rumple
• scramble
• shuffle
• tousle
• tumble
• upset

Examples of disorganize in a Sentence

those unexpected problems that can disorganize an entire plan

Recent Examples on the Web

Witnesses who participated in a walkthrough of the area days before the assassination attempt called it disorganized. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2024

That's how a lot of spaces end up staying disorganized. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2024

However, measurements of Uranus and Neptune by Voyager 2 in 1986 found that neither had a dipole field, only disorganized magnetic fields. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Unfortunately, the movie is a fiasco from the start, confused, disorganized, and often nonsensical; this one just appears to have gotten away from Ponsoldt. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French désorganiser, from dés- dis- + organiser to organize

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

disorganize

verb

dis·​or·​ga·​nize (ˈ)dis-ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

: to break up the regular arrangement of : confuse, disorder

disorganization

(ˌ)dis-ˌȯrg-(ə-)nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun