disorderly

[dis-awr-der-lee]

adjective

1. characterized by disorder; irregular; untidy; confused.

   a disorderly desk.

2. unruly; turbulent; tumultuous.

   a disorderly mob.

3. Law.,  contrary to public order or morality.

adverb

1. in a disorderly manner.

disorderly

/ dɪsˈɔːdəlɪ /

adjective

1. untidy; irregular

2. uncontrolled; unruly

3. law violating public peace or order

adverb

1. in an irregular or confused manner

Other Word Forms

• disorderliness noun
• undisorderly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disorderly¹

First recorded in 1555–65; dis- ¹ + orderly

Example Sentences

Another possibility: that further labor-market weakness and constantly changing and disorderly government economic policy.

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Beijing had previously dismissed concerns from the U.S. and Europe about Chinese overcapacity, but Chinese officials have since embraced “anti-involution” and fighting “disorderly price competition.”

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Beijing has been cracking down on excess capacity in some sectors to rein in “disorderly” competition and price wars.

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In its semiannual report on financial stability, the IMF wrote: “Risk asset prices are well above fundamentals, increasing the probability of disorderly corrections…Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”

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Wednesday’s data came after Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday renewed a call to double down on boosting consumption and reiterated Beijing’s intentions to curb disorderly competition among businesses.

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Related Words

• disruptive 
• fractious 
• raucous 
• rebellious 
• rowdy 
• unruly