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
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 July 2025
However, Trump's disordered approach to trade, coupled with U.S. debt concerns and his pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates, has driven the dollar down.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
In his June ruling following the competency hearing, Judge Bates said that six of seven doctors diagnosed Menzies with a neurological disorder but disagreed about its extent and effect.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disorder
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Verb
Purely amorphous ice that is totally disordered should retain no memory of its earlier form, unless there is some crystalline structure remaining.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 July 2025
However, Trump's disordered approach to trade, coupled with U.S. debt concerns and his pressure on the Fed to cut interest rates, has driven the dollar down.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
Joel was unable to attend the screening due to his recent brain disorder diagnosis.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
In his June ruling following the competency hearing, Judge Bates said that six of seven doctors diagnosed Menzies with a neurological disorder but disagreed about its extent and effect.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 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 19 Jul. 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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