disarray

1 of 2

noun

dis·​ar·​ray ˌdis-ə-ˈrā How to pronounce disarray (audio)
Synonyms of disarraynext
1
: a lack of order or sequence : confusion, disorder
the room was in disarray
… the disarray of paper in the In-Out basket …—Jackie Weger
2
: disorderly dress : dishabille

disarray

2 of 2

verb

disarrayed; disarraying; disarrays

transitive verb

1
: to throw into disorder
The discarded magazines and newspapers, the layers of dust and disarrayed rugs …—Gloria Naylor
2
: undress

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of disarray in a Sentence

Noun The room was in disarray. The company has fallen into complete disarray. Verb he had accidentally disarrayed his brother's CDs, leaving a telltale sign of borrowing without permission
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Logistical Hurdles and Unfinished Business The summit’s ending was marked by disarray. —David Carlin, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 October skies bring many changes, challenges, trials and tribulations, creating disarray and messiness in our lives, however, one day, in particular, stands out the most. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Verb
Seen in a video that moves through the abandoned and disarrayed hallways of the pediatric intensive care unit at Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital in northern Gaza were several babies whose unattended bodies lay on separate hospital beds. —Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2023 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 See all Example Sentences for disarray 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English disaraye, disaray "disorder, broken military formation," borrowed from Anglo-French dissairay, noun derivative of desaraier "to mishandle, throw into disorder" — more at disarray entry 2

Verb

Middle English disarraien "to break up (a military formation), throw into disorder," borrowed from Anglo-French desaraier "to mishandle, throw into disorder," from des- dis- + arraier, arreyer, aroier "to arrange, order, marshal, equip, attire" — more at array entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disarray was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near disarray

disarrange

disarray

disarticulate

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Disarray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disarray. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

disarray

1 of 2 noun
dis·​ar·​ray ˌdis-ə-ˈrā How to pronounce disarray (audio)
1
: a lack of order : confusion, disorder
the room was in disarray
2
: disorderly dress

disarray

2 of 2 verb
: to throw into disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on disarray

Nglish: Translation of disarray for Spanish Speakers

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