significant disarray

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant disarray" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is notably chaotic or disorganized. Example: "After the event, the room was left in significant disarray, with chairs overturned and papers scattered everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The mission, to Kandahar, a Taliban stronghold, was one of the clearest signals yet of potentially significant disarray among the movement as the American bombing continued.

The New York Times

At the time, neither the top brass nor the president wanted to face a future in which, in the style of the Vietnam era just then winding up, a force of citizen-soldiers could vote with their feet and their mouths in the kinds of protest that had only recently left the Army in significant disarray.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I never make a diagnosis of HCM without significant myocyte disarray being present in at least 3 out of 10 blocks from the left ventricle.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman, has not given an interview since that day, leaving it to Thomas to explain the significant and evident disarray that has followed.

The New York Times - Sports

The suit filed yesterday paints a picture of Thomas H. Lee as a firm that had learned that Refco was a mess, with its accounting in disarray and significant evidence that it had illegally used customer funds.

The New York Times

On the other hand, mice with PTSs for the lower frequencies (i.e., 3 20 kHz) had stereocilia disarray without significant hair cell losses in the second and first turns.

Hearing Research

DCM mice, with reduced myofibrillar Ca2+-sensitivity, have been reported to develop hypertrophy at 2 months of age, with significant dilation and myocyte disarray occurring by 5 months and mice starting to die at 4 6 months of age [ 16].

BioMed Research International

The stunning turn of events in the House left the status of negotiations to head off a combination of automatic tax increases and significant federal spending cuts in disarray with little time before the start of the new year.

The New York Times

European space scientists are scrambling to rethink and redesign massive potential missions after it was confirmed that NASA, whose budget is in disarray, won't contribute significant funding to any of the efforts.

Science Magazine

But even while Russia is spending billions to develop the Bulava, a significant portion of its conventional military has fallen into disarray.

The New York Times

Russia, in 1996, seven years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, was in a state of disarray and was hardly in a position to exert significant influence much less lend meaningful support to any potential allies in Afghanistan.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant disarray", ensure the context clearly indicates what is disorganized. Be specific about the area or system affected to provide a clear picture of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "significant disarray" when the situation only involves minor or superficial issues. The phrase implies a noteworthy level of chaos or disorganization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant disarray" functions as a noun phrase where "significant" modifies the noun "disarray". It describes a state or condition characterized by considerable disorder. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant disarray" is used to describe a state of considerable disorder or chaos. Ludwig AI deems it correct and usable, though examples are rare. While grammatically sound, its use should be reserved for situations where the disorganization is genuinely noteworthy. Alternatives such as "considerable disorder" or "substantial chaos" can provide similar meaning. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its register is relatively neutral, tilting towards professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notable disorganization

Uses a more literal synonym for "disarray", highlighting the lack of structured arrangement.

considerable disorder

Replaces "disarray" with a synonym, maintaining the emphasis on lack of order but using a more general term.

palpable disorderliness

Emphasizes the obviousness and tangibility of the lack of order.

substantial chaos

Substitutes "disarray" with "chaos", implying a more turbulent and confused state.

marked confusion

Focuses on the mental state of being unclear or perplexed, rather than physical disorganization.

serious mess

Employs a more informal term, "mess", to describe the state of disorder, while still conveying significance.

pronounced disruption

Emphasizes the interruption or disturbance of a normal state or process.

extensive derangement

Suggests a severe and fundamental loss of order or proper function.

major upheaval

Suggests a more dramatic and transformative disturbance, implying significant change.

considerable turmoil

Focuses on internal unrest and agitation, suggesting a deeper level of disturbance.

FAQs

How can I use "significant disarray" in a sentence?

You can use "significant disarray" to describe situations involving considerable chaos or disorganization. For example: "The project was in "significant disarray" after the team lead left."

What are some alternatives to saying "significant disarray"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "considerable disorder", "substantial chaos", or "major upheaval" to convey a similar meaning.

What does "significant disarray" mean?

"Significant disarray" refers to a state of considerable disorganization, chaos, or disorder. The word "significant" emphasizes that the disarray is noteworthy and substantial.

Is it appropriate to use "significant disarray" in formal writing?

Yes, "significant disarray" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing situations where considerable disorganization has occurred. Its formality depends on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.