1
: engaged in conduct offensive to public order
charged with being drunk and disorderly
2
: characterized by disorder
a disorderly pile of clothes
disorderliness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of disorderly in a Sentence
Adjective
She was charged with being drunk and disorderly.
He was found guilty of disorderly conduct.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Hodges was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, picketing, and demonstrating in a Capitol building.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2024
According to police, officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group on West 42nd St. when a physical altercation occurred.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2024
First and foremost, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza underpin China’s argument that the world is becoming ever more disorderly.
—Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2024
In September, a jury found Ryan Zink guilty of a felony count of obstructing an official proceeding and two misdemeanor counts of entering a restricted building and disorderly or disruptive conduct.
—The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024
In some cases, students were labeled defiant or disorderly for fighting, throwing chairs or even hitting a teacher.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Patel was arrested on two counts of battery and one count of disorderly intoxication.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2024
Indian streets are disorderly at the best of times.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Nashville police reported they were called to a bar on Broadway Street on March 9 for a disorderly person.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Hodges was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, picketing, and demonstrating in a Capitol building.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Feb. 2024
According to police, officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group on West 42nd St. when a physical altercation occurred.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2024
First and foremost, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza underpin China’s argument that the world is becoming ever more disorderly.
—Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2024
In September, a jury found Ryan Zink guilty of a felony count of obstructing an official proceeding and two misdemeanor counts of entering a restricted building and disorderly or disruptive conduct.
—The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024
In some cases, students were labeled defiant or disorderly for fighting, throwing chairs or even hitting a teacher.
—Sarah Butrymowicz, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Patel was arrested on two counts of battery and one count of disorderly intoxication.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2024
Indian streets are disorderly at the best of times.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disorderly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing disorderly
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Cite this Entry
“Disorderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
disorderly
adjective
dis·or·der·ly
(ˈ)dis-ȯrd-ər-lē
1
: not behaving quietly or well : upsetting public order : unruly
disorderly persons
disorderly conduct
2
: not neat or orderly
a disorderly mass of papers
disorderliness
noun
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