disorderly conduct

noun

: a petty offense chiefly against public order and decency that falls short of an indictable misdemeanor

Examples of disorderly conduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nelson was first arrested in March of 2023 on several charges including entering and remaining on restricted grounds and violent and disorderly conduct in the Capitol. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2024 The person was arrested for disorderly conduct, the mayor said. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 16 July 2024 Disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct are violations of the Detroit City Code, subject to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 10 July 2024 Wallen was arrested and charged with three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for disorderly conduct 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disorderly conduct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disorderly conduct was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near disorderly conduct

disorderly

disorderly conduct

disorderly house

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Disorderly conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disorderly%20conduct. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

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Legal Definition

disorderly conduct

noun
dis·​or·​der·​ly conduct
: conduct that is likely to lead to a disturbance of the public peace or that offends public decency
also : the petty offense of engaging in disorderly conduct compare breach of the peace

Note: The term disorderly conduct is used in statutes to identify various acts against the public peace. It has been held to include the use of obscene language in public, the blocking of public ways, and the making of threats. A statute must identify acts that constitute disorderly conduct with sufficient clarity in order to avoid being held unconstitutional because of vagueness.

More from Merriam-Webster on disorderly conduct

Nglish: Translation of disorderly conduct for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about disorderly conduct

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