1
as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
disorderly mobs roamed the streets after the fall of the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chaotic
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
disorderly piles of clothes on various tables about the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of disorderly
The cops were there in response to 911 calls about a disorderly mob of adult idiots behaving like unruly 7-year-olds.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Nurses will chase after disorderly patients.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles native LaBeouf has a history of violent and disorderly behavior that shadowed his efforts to move past his Disney Channel days in the early aughts.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Nurses will chase after disorderly patients.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles native LaBeouf has a history of violent and disorderly behavior that shadowed his efforts to move past his Disney Channel days in the early aughts.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disorderly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disorderly
Adjective
-
Broidy’s criminal convictions notwithstanding, his allegations against Chalker appeared plausible.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fan disappointment was echoed in the community dedicated to Barbie on Reddit, where many called out the organizers for such a chaotic event.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The footage captures a chaotic moment many pet owners recognize instantly—when curiosity tips over into trouble.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On June 15, 1215, rebellious nobles compelled King John of England to sign the Magna Carta.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The fact that the President is now signalling a messy retreat has nothing to do with insufficient lethality and everything to do with politics—in particular, the alarm in the global oil markets and the American public’s widespread opposition to the war.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Over beats as blunt, chromatic, and gleefully stupid as a Jeff Koons sculpture, the singer has vied to make hyperpop more garish and alarming by being hornier, messier, and more extreme than her peers.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the wilds of digital culture, gay panic roams in more anarchic forms.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Stella Marie Markert | Germany Canadian Premiere Four teens living in a Berlin group home have created their own anarchic utopia.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The series does not touch on the tabloid attention that followed the Beckhams in 2004, when it was alleged that David had an affair with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos, and the many further accusations of cheating that littered gossip columns after.—
Scarlett Harris,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Cigarette butts are the most littered item on the planet.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
-
This team is inconsistent, sloppy and soft.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Just six of those came in the second half and the Bruins took better care of the ball while running their offense more efficiently, but sloppy play and frustration have flared up despite the Bruins’ veteran leadership.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disorderly. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
