Antimicrobial resistance causes millions of infections and deaths each year, necessitating new approaches to minimise these effects. Here, we present a direct comparison of crystalline, MoS 2 nanosheets (MNS) and amorphous MoS 2 nanoflowers (MNF) against Escherichia coli MG1655 (Gram-negative bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus RN4220 (Gram-positive bacteria). The crystalline MNS sheets of different sizes were obtained using exfoliation of bulk MoS 2 , while the amorphous MNF was formed using hydrothermal synthesis. Using XPS, the MNF was found to contain MoO 3 in addition to MoS 2 , while the MNS had little or no impurities. The MNS exhibited a Zeta potential of −29.4 mV, while MNF showed a lower potential of −23.5 mV, indicating greater dispersibility of the MNS in aqueous-based biological media. Utilising a combination of Ellman's, nitroblue tetrazolium, and terephthalic acid assays, the crystalline MNS was observed to favour superoxide-linked oxidative stress, which proved particularly effective against Escherichia coli . Conversely, the amorphous MNF produced hydroxyl radicals that facilitated early GSH oxidation, thereby favouring inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus . In both cases, there was no evidence of membrane cell damage.