DISARRAY Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

disarray 1 of 2

noun

ˌdis-ə-ˈrā

Definition of disarray

as in havoc

a state in which everything is out of order the boys' bedroom was in its usual disarray

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disarray

2 of 2

verb

as in to disrupt

to undo the proper order or arrangement of he had accidentally disarrayed his brother's CDs, leaving a telltale sign of borrowing without permission

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of disarray

Noun

Meanwhile, epidemiologist Susan Mayne said the government has responded slowly to the record-shattering outbreak that started in May, which demonstrates how the nation's federal food safety programs are in disarray. — Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026 Political disarray follows Ukrainian wartime successes The political disarray follows recent successes for Ukraine in the war. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

Hybrid data is here to stay, so don’t let data disarray slow innovation or undermine smart business decision making. — Ram Venkatesh, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 For much of this summer, staff shortages and a surge of travelers have led to long lines at security and passport control, disarray at baggage claim and crowded terminals in Europe. — Jacob Passy, WSJ, 12 July 2022 See All Example Sentences for disarray

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disarray

Noun

Although not a direct hit, Lala dumped nearly 3 feet of rain on the Big Island, bringing widespread havoc.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
In the movie, a group of teens accidentally release a bunch of monsters from Stine’s book collection, creating complete havoc and plenty of great family-friendly frights.

— Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of havoc

Verb

Rendering examines how artificial intelligence is disrupting the entertainment industry, taking you inside key battlegrounds and spotlighting change-makers wielding the technology for good and ill.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
In the scenario, critical infrastructure in the central Finnish city of Kuopio, including power and water, has been disrupted by cyberattacks and there’s the threat of missile strikes from Finland’s neighbor, Russia.

— Emma Burrows, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrupt

Noun

The defense was organized and rebounded well from some early breakdowns on stretch running plays, and Petrino’s offense doesn’t look like the mess Freddie Kitchens’ group was last year.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
In another drawing, a Cubist mess of igloos and sandcastles lay in a heap.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of mess

Verb

For nearly a year and a half, he was shuffled around detention centers in Texas, Arizona, Louisiana and Florida, until arriving in the Alexandria International Airport in mid-August.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
The Yankees continued to shuffle their bullpen on Monday, claiming John Schreiber.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shuffle

Noun

Roughly two dozen other people, including several children, were struck by gunfire and dozens more were injured in the chaos.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
What was new was someone finally organizing it into something a nurse could use in sixty seconds in the chaos of a delivery room.

— Stacy L. Hambleton, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of chaos

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disarranging

disarray

disarrayed

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“Disarray.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disarray. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of disarray

noun

verb

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