What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disarray
Example
The office was in disarray after the power outage. [disarray: noun]
Example
The books were in disarray on the shelf, making it hard to find what I needed. [disarray: noun]
disorder
Example
The protest turned into disorder when the police arrived. [disorder: noun]
Example
She was diagnosed with a sleep disorder that made it difficult for her to fall asleep. [disorder: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disorder is more commonly used than disarray in everyday language, especially in medical contexts. Disarray is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disarray and disorder?
Both disarray and disorder are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, disorder may be considered more formal due to its medical connotations.
