Meaning & use

disorder

noun·Academic

A state of confusion or lack of organization, or a disturbance affecting health or behavior.

See it in a sentence

Papers were scattered across the desk in complete disorder after the storm blew through the office.

Doctors diagnosed him with a sleep disorder that made it hard to stay awake at work.

A note on using this word

In medicine, disorder names a specific condition, such as an anxiety disorder, distinct from its everyday sense of mess or chaos.

Words with a similar meaning

chaosdisarray

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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