Disarray

Disarray is a state of disorder or confusion characterized by a lack of orderly arrangement. It can describe physical spaces that are messy, plans that are unsettled, or a mental or emotional state in which priorities are unclear. The term is used in both everyday speech and formal writing to denote more than simple untidiness, implying a disruption of organization or sequence.

Etymology-wise, disarray combines the prefix dis- with array, a word that denotes an orderly arrangement or lineup. The sense is the absence or reversal of order. The phrase to throw something into disarray is common, and the adjective form disarrayed is used to describe objects, plans, or states that have become disordered.

Usage contexts vary. In everyday life, a room can be in disarray after a busy project or a hurried move. In organizational or institutional settings, plans, schedules, or systems may fall into disarray following unexpected events or leadership changes. In psychological or colloquial terms, a person may feel disarray when overwhelmed, indecisive, or confronted with competing priorities.

Common synonyms include disorder, chaos, confusion, jumble, and disorganization. Opposite concepts include order, organization, tidiness, and arrangement. The expression in disarray is widely understood and can be used to convey a range of disturbances from minor clutter to major disruption.