If people or things are indisarray, they are disorganized and confused.
The nation is in disarray following rioting led by the military.
12,000 crossed the border in one day alone, throwing evacuation plans into disarray.
This would add to the disarray in world markets.
2. uncountable noun [oft inNOUN]
If things or places are indisarray, they are in a very untidy state.
She was left lying on her side and her clothes were in disarray.
He found the room in disarray, with food dumped on the floor and drawers pulled open.
Synonyms: untidiness, state, mess, chaos More Synonyms of disarray
More Synonyms of disarray
disarray in British English
(ˌdɪsəˈreɪ)
noun
1.
confusion, dismay, and lack of discipline
2.
(esp of clothing) disorderliness; untidiness
verb(transitive)
3.
to throw into confusion
4. archaic
to undress
disarray in American English
(ˌdɪsəˈreɪ)
verb transitive
1.
to throw into disorder or confusion; upset
2. Archaic
to undress
noun
3.
an untidy condition; disorder; confusion
4.
a state of disorderly or insufficient dress
SIMILAR WORDS: conˈfusion
Word origin
ME disaraien < OFr desareer: see di-1 & array
Examples of 'disarray' in a sentence
disarray
The playing side was in complete disarray.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Their aim will be to minimise the appearance of the organisation being in total disarray.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Now they are in total disarray and move from place to place in the forest.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was the wanting that had him at times in total disarray.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is evidence of an organisation in total disarray and the action proposed shows a regrettable disregard for patient care.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The modernisers are in total disarray.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Now it seems to be in complete disarray '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a League which is in complete disarray.
The Sun (2010)
The Gunners defence is in total disarray as the tie slips away.
The Sun (2012)
It is a scenario few could have imagined with the Aussies going into the match in total disarray.
The Sun (2013)
But then he gets the call about his dad's unexpected death and it throws him into complete disarray.
The Sun (2010)
A downgrading would throw his prospects of taking up the university place he has been offered into complete disarray.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Birmingham were in complete disarray.
The Sun (2011)
English football is in total disarray and I find this whole mess amazing.
The Sun (2006)
On the nuclear defence issue, the Alliance was also in complete disarray.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
Many sufferers find that their illness throws their sleep patterns into total disarray, and they have continually to adjust their lifestyles to cope with irregular sleep needs.
Wilkinson, Steve M.E. and You - a self-help plan (1988)
In other languages
disarray
British English: disarray NOUN
If people or things are in disarray, they are disorganized and confused.
The nation is in disarray following rioting led by the military.
American English: disarray
Brazilian Portuguese: desordem
Chinese: 混乱
European Spanish: desorganización
French: désarroi
German: Unordnung
Italian: caos
Japanese: 混乱
Korean: 혼란
European Portuguese: desordem
Latin American Spanish: desorganización
1 (noun)
Definition
confusion and lack of discipline
The feud has plunged the country into political disarray.
Synonyms
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
upset
disorder
The emergency room was in disorder.
indiscipline
disunity
disharmony
disorganization
The army is suffering from low morale and disorganization.
unruliness
discomposure
disorderliness
Opposites
plan
,
system
,
order
,
method
,
organization
,
arrangement
,
harmony
,
regularity
,
orderliness
2 (noun)
Definition
extreme untidiness
He found the room in disarray.
Synonyms
untidiness
state
mess
Linda can't stand mess.
chaos
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
tangle
I was thinking what a tangle we had got ourselves into.
mix-up
a mix-up over travel arrangements
muddle
My thoughts are all in a muddle.
clutter
She preferred her work area to be free of clutter.
shambles
The economy is a shambles.
jumble
a meaningless jumble of words
hotchpotch
hodgepodge
dishevelment
pig's breakfast (informal)
Opposites
tidiness
,
order
,
symmetry
,
neatness
,
arrangement
,
orderliness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chaos
Definition
complete disorder or confusion
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
Synonyms
disorder,
confusion,
mayhem,
havoc (informal),
anarchy,
lawlessness,
pandemonium,
entropy,
bedlam,
tumult,
disorganization
in the sense of clutter
Definition
a state of untidiness
She preferred her work area to be free of clutter.