disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a state of confusion, disorder, or disorganization. Example sentence: The room was in disarray after the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The SNP appeared to be the party in disarray throughout the day, as Salmond repeatedly delayed a press conference at the first minister's official residence at Bute House.

The Guardian

At present, its main nationalist rivals, the SDLP, are in disarray, having lost their leader, Mark Durkan, in mid-September and having no direction as to where to go in the future.

The Guardian

"The result will be growing chaos in Greece, and discord and disarray in the eurozone in the coming months".

The Guardian

International disarray over the crisis was starkly underlined by Kofi Annan's resignation as international envoy on Syria, or "mission impossible" as he called it.

The Guardian

In the early 1990s, thousands of American troops withdrew from Somalia in disarray after a badly planned anti-famine intervention went sour.

The Guardian

But 30 years after the first council tenants bought their own homes, the rented housing sector is in disarray and those trapped in it are increasingly frustrated and angry.

The Guardian

Australia had rebounded from the chaos and disarray of the final months of the Mickey Arthur regime, whose defining characteristic was the ability to consistently forge defeat in the face of multiple PowerPoint presentations.

The Guardian - Sport

They had moved from comfort and familiarity to poverty and disarray within the space of a fortnight (the notice given to those who lived close to either side of the newly drawn, arguably arbitrary border).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We will never again have a similar moment of political disarray on the side that works against freedom.

The Guardian - Tech

The prime minister's pitch is an audacious attempt to steal Labour's image as the party of the workers while it is in disarray following its defeat under leader Ed Miliband.

The Guardian

By the end of November, with the French government in disarray, the riots across France had demonstrated that the youth of the banlieues could take on the authorities whenever they wanted to, and win.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disarray" to describe situations where there is a lack of order or organization, whether physical or metaphorical. For instance, "The documents were in disarray on the desk" or "The political party was in disarray after the scandal."

Common error

Avoid using "disarray" when the situation is merely untidy; it implies a significant lack of order and a degree of confusion. "Slightly messy" is far from "in disarray".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disarray" is as a noun, typically used to describe a state of disorder or confusion. It often appears after prepositions like "in" or "into". Ludwig AI confirms that its use as a noun is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disarray" is a versatile noun used to describe a state of disorder or confusion. It's grammatically correct and commonly found in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, according to Ludwig AI. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing political situations, physical spaces, and abstract concepts. While alternatives like "chaos" or "confusion" exist, "disarray" often implies a specific lack of organization. When using "disarray", remember that it suggests a significant lack of order, not just simple untidiness, to accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state of chaos

Directly equates the situation with chaos.

state of disorder

Focuses on the condition of being disordered.

chaotic situation

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the situation.

lack of order

Focuses on the absence of a structured arrangement.

utter confusion

Highlights the complete lack of clarity or order.

unorganized state

Highlights the absence of organization.

turmoil

Implies a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

complete mess

Uses a more informal term to describe the situation.

tangled mess

Suggests a complicated and difficult to resolve situation.

shambles

Emphasizes the state of being wrecked or ruined.

FAQs

How can I use "disarray" in a sentence?

You can use "disarray" to describe a state of disorder or confusion, such as "The office was in complete disarray after the files were scattered" or "The company's plans were thrown into "turmoil" by the unexpected announcement".

What are some alternatives to using "disarray"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "chaos", "confusion", "disorder", or "mess". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in a disarray" instead of "in disarray"?

No, the correct expression is "in disarray". The article "a" is not used before "disarray" in this context because it functions as an uncountable noun phrase describing a general state.

What's the difference between "disarray" and "dismay"?

"Disarray" refers to a state of disorder or confusion, while "dismay" refers to a feeling of disappointment or distress. They are not interchangeable. For instance, "The room was in disarray" describes the physical state, while "He felt dismay at the news" describes an emotional reaction.