Disorder — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər/ dis·or·der

Meaning & Definition of Disorder

Disorder (verb)

  1. to disturb the order of
  2. to disturb the regular or normal functions of

Disorder (noun)

  1. lack of order
  2. breach of the peace or public order
  3. an abnormal physical or mental condition

Disorder (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a state in which everything is out of order

    "the general disorder of the room after the guests finally left the party"

    similar: chance-medley, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter
    related: anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot, knot, snarl, tangle, labyrinth, maze, web, maelstrom, storm, bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash, shuffle, hodgepodge, medley, miscellany, morass, motley
    opposite: order, orderliness
    near: method, pattern, plan, system

  2. an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning

    "afflicted all her life with a nervous disorder"

    similar: affection, ail, ailment, bug, complaint, complication, condition, disease, distemper, distemperature, fever, ill, illness, infirmity, malady, sickness, trouble
    related: contagion, contagious disease, contagium, infection, attack, bout, fit, spell, debility, decrepitude, feebleness, frailness, lameness, sickliness, unhealthiness, unsoundness, unwellness, weakness, malaise, matter, pip, epidemic, pest, pestilence, plague
    opposite: health, wellness
    near: fitness, healthiness, heartiness, robustness, soundness, wholeness, wholesomeness, fettle, shape

Disorder (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to undo the proper order or arrangement of

    "be careful not to disorder the carefully arranged contents of the dresser"

    similar: confuse, derange, disarrange, disarray, discompose, dishevel, disjoint, dislocate, disorganize, disrupt, disturb, hash, jumble, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, muss, rumple, scramble, shuffle, tousle, tumble, upset
    related: embroil, entangle, snarl, tangle, agitate, perturb, stir (up), unsettle, clutter
    opposite: arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal, order, organize, range, regulate, straighten (up), tidy
    near: align, line, line up, queue, classify, codify, methodize, systematize, systemize, adjust, fix, groom, make up, spruce (up), unscramble

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disorder

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disorder:

chance-medley, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, muddle, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter, affection, ail, ailment, bug, complaint, complication, condition, disease, distemper, distemperature, fever, ill, illness, infirmity, malady, sickness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disorder

Words with the opposite meaning of Disorder:

order, orderliness, health, wellness, arrange, array, dispose, draw up, marshal, organize, range, regulate, straighten (up), tidy

Related Words for Disorder

anarchy, lawlessness, misrule, riot, knot, snarl, tangle, labyrinth, maze, web, maelstrom, storm, bollix, clutter, litter, mishmash, hodgepodge, medley, miscellany, morass, motley, contagion, contagious disease, contagium, infection, attack, bout, fit, spell, debility

Near Antonyms of Disorder

method, pattern, plan, system, fitness, healthiness, heartiness, robustness, soundness, wholeness, wholesomeness, fettle, shape, align, line, line up, queue, classify, codify, methodize, systematize, systemize, adjust, fix, groom, make up, spruce (up), unscramble

Word Forms of Disorder

Inflections: disordered, disordering, disorders

Origin & Etymology of Disorder

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Disorder

Words & Phrases Containing Disorder

affective disorder, alcohol use disorder, antisocial personality disorder, anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, autistic disorder

Frequently Asked Questions about Disorder

What does "Disorder" mean?

"Disorder" means to disturb the order of. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to disturb the order of. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disorder"?

Other words for "Disorder" include chance-medley, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorderedness and disorderliness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disorder" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disorder"?

There are 111 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disorder". Common alternatives include chance-medley, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization and free-for-all.

What is the opposite of "Disorder"?

Antonyms of "Disorder" include order, orderliness, health, wellness, arrange, array, dispose and draw up. Near antonyms include method, pattern, plan and system.

How do you use "Disorder" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disorder" in a sentence: "the general disorder of the room after the guests finally left the party"; "afflicted all her life with a nervous disorder"; "be careful not to disorder the carefully arranged contents of the dresser".

Is "Disorder" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disorder" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Disorder" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Disorder" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Disorder"?

"Disorder" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər/ and divided into syllables as dis·or·der.