disorganize

verb

dis·​or·​ga·​nize (ˌ)dis-ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

disorganized; disorganizing; disorganizes

transitive verb

: to destroy or interrupt the orderly structure or function of

disorganization

(ˌ)dis-ˌȯr-gə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• confuse
• derange
• disarrange
• disarray
• discompose
• dishevel
• disjoint
• dislocate
• disorder
• disrupt
• disturb
• hash
• jumble
• mess (up)
• mix (up)
• muddle
• muss
• rumple
• scramble
• shuffle
• tousle
• tumble
• upset

Examples of disorganize in a Sentence

those unexpected problems that can disorganize an entire plan

Recent Examples on the Web

The Nuggets could have used a timeout to advance the ball with 1.7 seconds remaining, but the Spurs were disorganized after the dunk. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2025

Streamline Data Collection Processes Data is often disorganized at the collection point. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Hurricane Kristy weakened to a Category 1 storm on Saturday and is expected to downgrade into a post-tropical cyclone and disorganize in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

Their defense was slow and overmatched, disorganized in transition, destroyed on the boards, and hemorrhaging second-chance points. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French désorganiser, from dés- dis- + organiser to organize

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

disorganize

verb

dis·​or·​ga·​nize (ˈ)dis-ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

: to break up the regular arrangement of : confuse, disorder

disorganization

(ˌ)dis-ˌȯrg-(ə-)nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun