disorder

1 of 2

verb

dis·​or·​der (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-dər 

(ˌ)diz-

disordered; disordering; disorders

transitive verb

1

: to disturb the order of

2

: to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of disorder

Verb

• disrupt
• confuse
• disturb
• disarray
• shuffle

Noun

• chaos
• havoc
• hell
• jumble
• confusion
• mess
• disorganization

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

Verb

Jess Scheer, the CEO of The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), says there’s a strong association between obsessive tracking and disordered eating and eating disorders. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 24 Apr. 2026

When that authority tells a young person that their identity is disordered and must be changed, the harm isn’t just theoretical. —A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2026

Noun

Ryan’s diagnosis of Horner after more than 18 hours of interviewing him as well as speaking to other witnesses and reviewing records listed 10 conditions including autism, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026

Nick was reportedly in a mental health conservatorship from 2020 to 2021 and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disorder

• affective disorder
• alcohol-use disorder
• antisocial personality disorder
• anxiety disorder
• Asperger's disorder
• attention deficit disorder
• attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• autism spectrum disorder
• autistic disorder
• autistic spectrum disorder
• binge eating disorder
• bipolar disorder
• borderline personality disorder
• colony collapse disorder
• conversion disorder
• developmental disorder
• dissociative identity disorder
• eating disorder
• factitious disorder
• factitious disorder imposed on another
• factitious disorder imposed on self
• gender identity disorder
• generalized anxiety disorder
• hoarding disorder
• illness anxiety disorder
• major depressive disorder
• mental disorder
• mood disorder
• multiple personality disorder
• narcissistic personality disorder
• neurodegenerative disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• oppositional defiant disorder
• panic disorder
• personality disorder
• pervasive developmental disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• psychopathic personality disorder
• schizoid personality disorder
• schizotypal personality disorder
• seasonal affective disorder
• sleep disorder
• somatic symptom disorder
• throw into disorder
• unipolar disorder

Rhymes for disorder

• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder
• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder

Kids 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 noun

1

: 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