dishevel

verb

di-ˈshev-əl How to pronounce dishevel (audio)
Definition of dishevelnext
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of decorations for the garden wedding that had been disheveled by the wind

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dishevel Sturch said Columbo is not as disheveled in the theater version as Falk later presented him. — Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026 These evocative, volcanic islands, cast adrift off the northeast coast of Sicily, remain salted, fresh, and gloriously disheveled. — Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026 Jet fuel flowed into the cabin, filling the space as Carleton, frazzled and disheveled, crawled toward the exit, tossing luggage that had fallen out of the upside-down overhead compartments out of the way to clear a path for his fellow passengers. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025 Inspector Thomas Lynley, eighth earl of Asherton and generally natty guy played by Nathaniel Parker, and his distinctly working-class and perpetually disheveled sergeant, Barbara Havers (Sharon Small), creates a classic odd-couple mix that allows some actual insight into issues of class and gender. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dishevel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishevel
  1. disrupt
  2. disturb
  3. confuse
  4. shuffle
  5. disarray
Verb
  • Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
    — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026
  • The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • That is important because a boxy robotaxi that can drive both ways may confuse pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • One of the biggest mistakes students make is confusing a loan approval with an affordability recommendation.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • As soon as the game wrapped up, those guests shuffled out, and hours later were replaced by a rowdier group ordering shots at the bar, dancing to 2000s hits in front of the DJ booth and smoking vape pens on the outdoor patio.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Pretoria responded to the threat of violence in June 30 protests with millions of dollars shuffled inside the police budget, tactical units deployed, and soldiers on standby.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Not only were Carlson and Trouba leaning toward departures, but team captain Radko Gudas is an unrestricted free agent, leaving the right side of the Ducks’ defense in flux if not disarray.
    — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 17 June 2026
  • That signing eventually turned a franchise used to disarray to one with legit postseason hopes.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
Definition of disarray

Browse Nearby Words

dishes out
dishevel
disheveled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dishevel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishevel. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dishevel

Nglish: Translation of dishevel for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All