I. dəs, (ˈ)dis+, sometimes dəz or (ˈ)diz+ verb
Etymology: dis- (I) + order (v.)
transitive verb
1.
a. : to disturb the order of : disarrange
b. : to disturb the regular or normal functions of (as the body or mind) : cause a disordered condition in
eating enough to disorder his digestive system
events shocking enough to disorder the mind
2. archaic : disconcert : discompose
intransitive verb
: to fall into disorder or confusion : become disordered
Synonyms:
disorder , disarrange , derange , disorganize , unsettle , and disturb can mean to undo the fixed or proper order of something. disorder implies the alteration to its marked detriment of a given, desirable, or proper order, applying commonly to what depends upon being properly ordered for its best functioning or effectiveness
to disorder the carefully arranged contents of a drawer
reasoning disordered by strong emotion
a country disordered by war
disarrange implies merely the changing of a fixed, desirable, or neat order or arrangement
disarranged his carefully brushed hair
disarrange the normal functioning of the household
derange implies a marked throwing out of proper order of parts which exist in their best state or function best in a given order or interrelationship, differing from the previous words in implying a resulting confusion or a destruction of normal or healthy conditions
within the power of man irreparably to derange the combinations of inorganic matter and organic life — Russell Lord
the news of his cousin Anne's engagement … deranged his best plan of domestic happiness — Jane Austen
[war] lays its blight on whole peoples, deranges their life — C.E.Montague
disorganize implies the destruction of the order and functioning of an organization of interrelated things, suggesting, therefore, a disordering that runs through an entire system, breaking it up or seriously impeding its full operation or effectiveness
world economy and national currencies in 1948 were highly disorganized and unbalanced — Collier's Year Book
an expenditure which would disorganize his whole scheme of finance — John Buchan
the normal metabolic activity of this organ is disorganized by infections — H.R.Litchfield & L.H.Dembo
unsettle suggests a disordering or disarrangement of a fixed or desirable order, or a calm attendant upon such an order, and a resulting instability and often turbulence
learned enough of it to unsettle his religious beliefs — R.A.Hall b.1911
war unsettles the institutions and practices of even the firmest culture
unsettle the thoughts
disturb implies a force that unsettles or disarranges; often it suggests an interruption that affects a settled order or condition
the headlights also disturbed the slumbers of the night — Sherwood Anderson
those emotions which disturb the reason — Virginia Woolf
the warps and strains of civilized life, with its excessive industrialism and militarism, seem to disturb the wholesome balance of even the humblest elements of the possessive and aesthetic instincts — Havelock Ellis
a noise that disturbs one's thoughts
II. noun
Etymology: dis- (I) + order (n.)
1. : a condition marked by lack of order, system, regularity, predictability, or dependability : the act or fact of disturbing, neglecting, or breaking away from a due order
the scientific view … regards disorder and inexplicable irregularity as a scandal — W.R.Inge
those rooms are all in disorder , there has been hurried packing — Charles Dickens
2.
a. : breach of public order : disturbance of the peace of society
b. : misconduct , misdeed , misdemeanor
she had been a sinner from her early youth and … continued her disorders even until an advanced age — Willa Cather
c. : an instance of such disorder or misconduct
widespread lawlessness in the 1850's appeared … in lynchings of abolitionists and in the disorders in Kansas — H.E.Davis
3. : a derangement of function : an abnormal physical or mental condition : sickness , ailment , malady
an intestinal disorder
suffering from a nutritional disorder caused by lack of calcium and phosphorus — Time
Synonyms: see confusion