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

Military commanders distanced themselves from Mr. Yoon, testifying that the martial law attempt was rushed and disorganized, and military veterans – many of whom had supported the president – turned out to condemn him. —Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Dec. 2024

These magnetic fields are tilted significantly, compared with their rotation axes, and are disorganized, with no dipole like the Earth. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

The Packers kept bringing slot receiver Jayden Reed into the backfield with an orbit-motion look, and the window-dressing disorganized the Niners’ defense to the point where Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs wasn’t being touched in the backfield, much less at the line of scrimmage. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2024

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