disorganise
gb/dɪsˈɔɹɡənɪs/ us/dɪsˈɔɹɡənɪs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
make a system work badly
To make something less organised and harder to manage.
Usage pattern:
disorganise [system/plan/schedule/process]
Common mistake:
Spelling varies: BrE disorganise, AmE disorganize. Also, it is usually used with an object (disorganise something).
Synonyms
disrupt (Often suggests interrupting normal operation.)
|
throw into chaos (Stronger and more dramatic than disorganise.)
|
unsettle (Emphasises making things unstable rather than messy.)
Antonyms
organise (Put into a clear, effective order.)
|
streamline (Make more efficient by simplifying.)
Collocations
disorganise the schedule
|disorganise the process
|disorganise the system
|disorganise the office
|disorganise the team
|disorganise the workflow
|disorganise operations
|disorganise plans
|disorganise routines
|disorganise logistics
Themes
work
|business
|planning
|daily_life
Examples
- The last-minute change disorganised the whole schedule.
- Poor communication can quickly disorganise a project.
- The strike threatened to disorganise deliveries across the region.
Learner examples
- The delay disorganised our plans.
- Too many changes can disorganise the team.
Verb
B2
action
2
make things untidy or jumbled
To make things messy and not in order.
Usage pattern:
disorganise [room/desk/papers/files]
Common mistake:
This meaning is close to 'mess up', but disorganise often implies that finding things or working becomes harder.
Synonyms
mess up (More informal and common in speech.)
|
disarrange (More formal; often used for physical arrangement.)
|
jumble (Emphasises mixing things together randomly.)
Antonyms
tidy (Make neat and in order.)
|
arrange (Put into a planned order or position.)
Collocations
disorganise a desk
|disorganise a room
|disorganise the files
|disorganise paperwork
|disorganise a cupboard
|disorganise a bookshelf
|disorganise notes
|disorganise documents
Themes
home
|daily_life
Examples
- The movers disorganised the entire storeroom.
- Don’t disorganise the papers on my desk—I need them in that order.
- The children disorganised the toys within minutes.
Learner examples
- Please don’t disorganise my desk.
- He disorganised the papers by accident.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
make someone mentally confused
To confuse someone so they cannot think well.
Usage pattern:
disorganise [someone] | disorganise [someone's] thinking/behaviour
Common mistake:
Often used in more formal or clinical contexts; in everyday speech people more often say 'confuse' or 'upset'.
Synonyms
disorient (Emphasises loss of sense of place, time, or direction.)
|
confuse (More general and more common.)
|
unsettle (Emphasises disturbing someone’s emotional balance.)
Antonyms
calm (Make someone less anxious or agitated.)
|
compose (Help someone regain self-control.)
Collocations
disorganise thinking
|disorganise behaviour
|disorganise speech
|disorganise the mind
|emotionally disorganise
|severely disorganise
Themes
health
|emotions
Examples
- The sudden news disorganised him and he couldn’t finish his sentence.
- Lack of sleep can disorganise your thinking and decision-making.
- The medication initially disorganised her, but the effect wore off.
Learner examples
- The shock disorganised him.
- Stress can disorganise your thinking.
Verb
technical
C1
action
4
disrupt normal coordinated functioning
To stop something from working together properly.
Usage pattern:
disorganise [function/process/response/organisation]
Common mistake:
In scientific or medical writing, this can be close to 'impair' or 'disrupt', but it specifically suggests loss of organised structure or coordination.
Synonyms
impair (Focuses on reduced ability, not necessarily disorder.)
|
destabilise (Emphasises making something less stable or secure.)
|
derange (More technical/formal; often used in medical contexts.)
Antonyms
stabilise (Help something function steadily and reliably.)
|
regulate (Control so it works in a normal, orderly way.)
Collocations
disorganise normal function
|disorganise a response
|disorganise regulation
|disorganise coordination
|disorganise an organisation
|disorganise a network
Themes
health
|science
|business
Examples
- Severe inflammation can disorganise normal tissue structure.
- The sudden leadership vacuum disorganised the department for months.
- Repeated interruptions disorganised the team’s decision-making process.
Learner examples
- The changes disorganised the organisation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disorganise
IPA
GB/dɪsˈɔɹɡənɪs/
US/dɪsˈɔɹɡənɪs/
Syllables & stress
dis - or - gan - ise (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (or)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: disorganise
- 3rd Person Singular: disorganises
- Present Participle: disorganising
- Past: disorganised
Word family
Forms
disorganises
verb
disorganising
verb
disorganised
verb
Core family
disorganisation
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
organisational
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.