disorder

American  

[dis-awr-der] / dɪsˈɔr dər /

noun

1. lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion.

   Your room is in utter disorder.

   Synonyms:

   clutter , litter , jumble , disarray , disorderliness

2. an irregularity.

   a disorder in legal proceedings.

3. breach of order; disorderly conduct; public disturbance.

   Synonyms:

   turbulence , riot

4. a disturbance in physical or mental health or functions; malady or dysfunction.

   a mild stomach disorder.

   Synonyms:

   indisposition , sickness , complaint , illness , malady , ailment

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verb (used with object)

1. to destroy the order or regular arrangement of; disarrange.

   Synonyms:

   disorganize , disarray

2. to derange the physical or mental health or functions of.

   Synonyms:

   confuse , upset , disturb

disorder British  

/ dɪsˈɔːdə /

noun

1. a lack of order; disarray; confusion

2. a disturbance of public order or peace

3. an upset of health; ailment

4. a deviation from the normal system or order

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verb

1. to upset the order of; disarrange; muddle

2. to disturb the health or mind of

Related Words

Disorder, brawl, disturbance, uproar are disruptions or interruptions of a peaceful situation. Disorder refers to civil unrest or to any scene in which there is confusion or fighting: The police went to the scene of the disorder. A brawl is a noisy, unseemly quarrel, usually in a public place: a tavern brawl. A disturbance is disorder of a size as to inconvenience people: to cause a disturbance. An uproar is a tumult, a bustle and clamor of many voices, often because of a disturbance: a mighty uproar.

Other Word Forms

• predisorder noun

Etymology

Origin of disorder

First recorded in 1470–80; dis- ¹ + order

Example Sentences

He adds that the technique could eventually guide the development of therapies for this neurodegenerative disorder.

From Science Daily

Beijing’s national-security office in Hong Kong warned that any attempt to exploit the fire to create disorder would be punished by law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Symptoms of autoimmune disease are often mistaken for normal signs of aging, leaving the disorder undiagnosed for years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reported problems include spina bifida, cleft palate, and a range of intellectual, communication, behavior and memory disorders.

From Science Daily

Many neurological and psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and some forms of brain injury, can make it difficult for people to apply existing skills in new situations.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• chaos
• complication
• disturbance
• lawlessness
• trouble
• unrest